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"HERO OF TIPPECANOE;"
STORY OF THE LIFE OF
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.
fj
RELATED BY CAPTAIN MILLER TO HIS BOYS.
NEW-YORK:
PUBLISHED BY J. P. GIFFING,
(SUCCESSOR TO S. COLMAN.)
56 Gold-Street.
Entered according to Aot of Congress, in the year 1840,
By J. P. GiFFING,
In the Office of the Clerk of the Southern District of New-York.
DEDICATION.
To the youthful patriots and rising statesmen of the Urn-
ted States.
My young friends —
This volume was prepared for you, and to you
it is dedicated.
The subject is a noble one. Whether in the pres-
ent instance, justice has been done to it or not, you
must decide. It tells of a hero. Not of one like
Napoleon, or Caesar, or Alexander — those proud op-
pressors of mankind, who rose and flourished at the
expense of the happiness of millions — but of a re-
publican hero — plain, unostentatious, and benevo-
lent— of a patriot whose delight has been to serve
his country, and contribute to the protection and
comfort of the defenceless inhabitants of our fron-
tier. It tells of one, who, forsaking the scenes of his
b DEDICATION.
youth, and the pleasures of society, went forth into,
our western wilds — and amid toils, privations, and
sufferings, raised himself to honor and influence by
his own personal efforts. He entered the army.
He fought with savages. He drove them from the
unprotected and defenceless habitation of the widow,.
He established peace: and now, where only a few
years since the warwhoop carried consternation,
there our fellow-citizens dwell in safety ; and where
were the habitations of cruelty, there are seen the
temples of the Living God.
It tells us of a hero, who, having achieved the se-
curity and independence of the west, returned, like
Washington at an earlier day, to private life — to
the cultivation of a farm — to the quiet and unosten-
tatious residence of a " log cabin," more honorable
than the gorgeous palaces of the eastern world.
Such men are an honor to our country. We have
had many such, to whom the people of the United
States could " look up in times of danger" — who
guided our councils — ^who led our armies — who
achieved our independence.
But they are nearly all gone. A few noble stocks
remain. Let us do them honor. Let us show them
gratitude. Let us employ their wisdom and expe-
DEDICATION. '7
rience in times of difficulty and trial. Let them not
descend to the grave, feeling that because gray locks
encircle their brow, they are no longer useful — or,
that the counsels of the young are better than the
advice of the old.
We need such men to aid us in times of perplexi-
ty. And such times we see. Our country suffers
Business is suspended. Confidence is gone. Whom
shall we call to the rescue ? Where find the man,
around whom we can rally with confidence ? One
who will make no effort to aggrandize himself, but
attempt to restore the waning fortunes of the land —
who will be the friend of the poor — who will bring
back the prosperity of former days, when children
did not cry for bread, and there was no laclrof the
means of their education ? Where shall we find such
a man ? — Where ?
Let me point him out. It is the " Hero of Tippe-
canoe"—the "Farmer of North Bend" — William:
Henry Harrison — he is the man.
Am I wrong in addressing you thus ? You have
indeed no vote. I know it. And I do not expect
that you can decide the question, whether he shall
be president of the United States.
But you can read his history — you can become
DEDICATION.
acquainted with the principles which guided the
generation to which he belongs — principles which,
had they not been forsaken, our country would never
have seen her present days of gloom— principles to
which our rulers must return before that gloom, like
a cloud, shall go up and roll away.
Before you come to act, these men will have gone
to their grave— but I hope that you will adopt their
principles, and catch so much of their spirit, that,
when in place of your fathers, you stand up to vote,
you will place men in authority, who will be " a ter»
ror to evil-doers, and the praise of them that do
well."
Respectfully,
Your well-wisher,
The Author,
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I.
Wherein Jose Miller meets with an adventure, which
lays the foundation of the present volume.
Scene at a Grocery — Jose listens to Conversation about the " Hero
of Tippecanoe" — Does not understand who is meant — Interview
between him and Jimmy Goodspeed — Asks Questions of Jimmy,
but can get no satisfactory Answer — Parting between them —
Jinmiy's after Reflections, ...... 13
CHAPTER II.
Some explanations ; in making which, certain new act-
ors appear on the stage. Jose learns who the " Hero of
Tippecanoe" is.
Some Account of Captain Miller — His Family — Change in the
Captain's Views respecting General Jackson's Administration —
Jose makes Inquiries about the " Hero of Tippecanoe" — Con-
versation — Captain Miller consents to relate some Incidents of
his Life, 20
CHAPTER III.
CJonversation at Captain Miller's about the "Hero of
10 CONTENTS.
Tippecanoe,''' during which the Captain talks more than all
the rest.
The Family Circle — Captain Miller tells about the Great Men of
Former Days — Young Harrison introduced — Birth — Parent
age — Declaration of Independence — Death of his Father — En-
ters College — Leaves it to fight the Savages of the West — Sto-
ry of General Harmar, and of his Defeat — General St. Clair —
Harrison made an Ensign — Arrives at the Camp — Brief Notice
of his Services, 31
CHAPTER IV.
Captain Miller continues his conversations, in which he
he tells about further troubles with the Indians, and a deci-
sive victory over them.
Alarm of the Country— Story of Mr. Merrill and his Family —
Harrison's first Service — General Anthony Wayne — Harrison
becomes his Aid — Story of Miller — Battle — Harrison promoted
tojbe a Captain — Takes Command of Fort Washington, 46
CHAPTER V.
Captain Miller tells about the Battle of Tippecanoe.
Harrison resigns his Commission in the Army — Elected to Con-
gress— Becomes Governor of the Territory of Indiana — Trouble
from the Indians — rAccount of Tecumseh and his Brother, the
Prophet — Influence of the latter — Murder of a celebrated Wy-
andot Chief — Letter to General Harrison from the Prophet —
Battle, . . . .- .' .^ -- -^ ^ - 57-
CONTENTS. 1 1
CHAPTER VI.
A short chapter, in which Captain Miller tells some an-
ecdotes of the " old Hero."
War with England — Manner in which General Harrison Managed
his Soldiers — Mutiny of Soldiers — Happy Mode in which it
was quelled — Harrison and his Troops during a Storna — How
he kept up their Spirits, 71
CHAPTER VII.
Captain Miller tells about the Siege of Fort Meigs and
Battle of the Thames. — Death of Tecumseh. — Anecdotes.
Fort Meigs — Indians appear — Siege by British and Indians — Ar-
rival of General Clay, and Fate of Colonel Dudley and his
Troops — Brilhant and Successful Sortie of the Troops of the
Fort — Siege raised — General Harrison accused of Cowardice —
Speech of Mr. Pollock about this Charge — Battle of the Thames
— Death of Tecumseh — Anecdote of Harrison — Address to a
Regiment leaving Vincennes, -...-. 78
CHAPTER VIII.
Captain Miller spends an evening in telling anecdotes
about General Harrison.
• General Harrison leaves the Army — Elected to Congress — Goes
Minister to South America — ^Settles on his Farm at North
Bend — His "Log Cabin" — Personal Appearance — Anecdotes:
" Boys, do you hear that ?" — " Harrison and the Assassin" —
" The Old Soldier" — " Harrison's Kindness to an Irishman" —
" J?e Wood Leg Soldiare," .. -. -. - -. ^- 91
12 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IX.
'llH " Hero of Tippecanoe" elected President by Cap-
tain Miller and his family.
Conversation — Captain Miller remarks upon the Office of Presi-
dent — Consequences to the Country whether the President be a
Good or a Bad Man — Happy Condition of the Country till
1829 — Change since General Jackson became President — A
New President to be Elected — General garrison proposed —
Captain Miller leads his Family to a Choice — The Vote taken —
The Question settled — Harrison elected, - - . 110
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
Jose Miller hears of the (General in a grocery store.
CHAPTER I.
XVTierein Jose Miller meets with an adventure which lays the
foundation of the present volume.
" The Hero of Tippecanoe !"— " The Hero of Tip-
pecanoe !" — ^The words still rang in the ears of little
Jose Miller, as he returned towards home from a
grocery, where he had been to purchase a few pounds
14 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
of sugar for his mother. — " I wonder who this Hero
of Tippecanoe can be ?"
While standing at the counter, waiting for the
clerk to put up the article he wished, his attention
had been drawn to a somewhat spirited, but by no
means angry, conversation between several men of
the village, as to the merits of this said " Hero."
He was not present when the conversation was be-
gun. One said he was a good soldier ; another that
he was a famous general ; and so they went round,
talking of the battles he had fought-^of the Indians
he had taken ; and, finally, some half-dozen declared,
that they almost knew he would be President of the
United States.
" I'll venture a mug of ale on that !" said a surly
looking man, stepping forward, and addressing him-
self to one of the individuals in the circle.
" I never bet," said the man ; " it is against my
principles ; but if I were going to bet, it wouldn't
be ale, but a little ' hard cider' " — with a peculiar
emphasis on the • two last words : " but I don't
bet."
" Well, well," said the man, " let that pass ; but he
won't be president, this year, nor next — "
" I don't know about next year ; but I rather guess
THE HERO OF TIPPECAXOE. 15
on the 4th of March, 1841, his 'Log Cabin' will be
exchanged for the ' White House.' "
" Never — never," said the man, with some warmth ;
" he'll never see the inside of that house, unless he
dines with Martin Van Buren — "
" So you think ?"
"Yes, so I think— so I — "
He was going to say, " so I know ;" but, like a wise
man, he checked himself and said, " believe."
Jose was an attentive listener to the conversation,
during which he had tried hard to learn who this " He-
ro of Tippecanoe" was. He knew that it did not mean
Mr. Van Buren. He never heard him called a hero ;
and he concluded they did not mean General Jack-
son, for he was called the " Hero of New Orleans."
Whom did they mean? That was more than he
could tell. The name sounded musical, and even
heroic, and he waited quite impatiently to learn who
the hero was.
But something whispered, or seemed to whisper,
in Jose's ear, that he must not stay any longer, even
to gratify a laudable curiosity. His mother had
taught him — and certainly it is a good lesson for all
little boys to learn and practise — to do an errand,
and return as quick .as possible.
16 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
Accordingly, although the conversation was still
going on. Jose retreated towards the door, but rath-
er slowly ; and, even when his fingers were on the
latch, he was half inclined to step back, and ask a
man in the circle whom he knew, about whom they
were talking ; but a commendable modesty kept him
back. His curiosity, however, had been too much
excited to remain long quiet ; and, determining to
gratify it in another place, he opened the door, and
directed his step homeward.
Jose, my readers must know^ was quite young ;
and, while most lads of his age might, perhaps, have
answered the question, it was out of his power.
And a good reason existed for his ignorance. He
had recently returned home, from having lived with
a maiden aunt, where the subject of politics was as
little likely to be discussed, as who would be the next
king of England or France. Jose was not aware
that a new presidential election was drawing near,
nor that the conversation to which he had hstened
was turning upon the merits of the several candi-
dates for that office before the public. But Jose had
a good memory, from which a name so charming to
his ear was not likely to escape, or if there was any
real danger in the case, his frequent repetition of it,
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE. iV
as he sauntered along, was sufficient to keep it alive.
Indeed, had there been any passers by, it is quite
probable they would have heard him humming a kind
of tune : — " The Hero — the Hero — the Hero of
Tip — the Hero of Tippecanoe ! — Tippecanoe !"
Soon after turning a corner in sight of his fa-
ther's, he descried at some distance before him a
school-fellow, by the name of Jimmy Goodspeed.
** Jimmy — Jimmy — Jimmy Goodspeed !" holloed
Jose — " stop I"
" What do you want, Jose V*
« Wait, and rU tell you."
" Well, make haste. If your legs were as long
again, you'd walk a little faster when a fellow is
waiting for you."
" I'm almost out of breath now," said Jose, as he
came up, his face glowing with animation.
" Well, what's your wish, Jose ?•— shall I help you
carry your bundle ?"
"Oh, no," said Jose, "I can carry that. What I
want is, to know whether you ever heard of — there,
now, you've almost made me forget what I was go-
ing to say. Have you ever heard of— of — oh, I
know now — of ' The Hero of Tippecanoe V "
« Heard of him ?— ha, ha, ha ! Why, child, more
2
^
18 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
times than you ever eat supper in all your life. But
he's no great things."
" But who is he ?" said Jose, " that was my ques-
tion. They don't mean General Jackson, do they ?"
" Take care, Jose — ^my friend, Jose, take care how
you talk about General Jackson. I'm a true Jack-
son man — do you know that ?"
" I didn't mean any harm, Jimmy ; , but I heard
some men up at Peter Crowfoot's s^tore talking rath-
er loud and fast about the ' Hero of Tippecanoe,'
and I thought you could tell me."
" "Well, I suppose I could, but I don't want to talk
about him;- — besides, you, are too young to talk poli-
tics, Jose."
The lads here separated, Jose having arrived at
his father's. Jimmy had still further to go, and bid-
ding his little friend goodrmorning, said —
" * Log cabin and hard cider' won't be president
this year, nor next — mark my word, Joe."
Jose tried to laugh, but as he didn't understand
what was meant, he made a poor figure of it ; but as
the gate swung to, he said — ■" Well, Jimmy, you'll
not find me so ignorant next time we meet. Father,
I guess, know^s all about the matter."
Jimmy plodded on. He was the son of a true
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE. 19
Jacksonlan, and of course felt and talked just as his
father did. He tried to beheve that Mr. Van Buren
would be elected president again, because his father
tried to believe so ; but he had heard his father say
there began to be some doubt. Strange alterations
were taking place. Matters didn't work well. The
times were hard. Jimmy's father didn't get as much
work as he had done ; and when he did, not much
more than half as much in price, and very httle
money. Jimmy fell into quite a serious train of re-
flection, after leaving Jose ; and I beUeve,. before
he reached the place to which he was going, a coup-
let, which he had either seen, or himself manufac-
tured, was occupying his thoughts. I do not know
that he sung it, but quite likely he did ; for who does
not begin to sing something like it ? —
Tippy, old Tippy, I very much fear,
You'll take the Great Chair the very next year.
20
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
Captain Miller conversing vriih his family. ,
CHAPTER II.
Some explanations ; in making which, certain new actors ap-
pear on the sta^e. Jose learns who the " Hero of Tip'
pecanoe''^ is.
It is quite time to introduce our readers to the
family of Captain Miller, the father of our friend
Jose. But a few words will suffice to give such de-
tails of his history, as are important to our purpose
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 21
Captain Miller I shall suppose to have been an
officer of the army, during a considerable part of
Mr. Madison's war. He served with great reputa- '
lion — was in several battles at the West, and was
most enthusiastically attached, as most of the officers
of the northwestern army were, to their brave com-
mander, General William Henry Harrison.
At the close of the war, he returned to his native
state ; and, after living some years a bachelor, mar-
ried the daughter of a mihtary officer, who was con-
siderably his senior in the army, and settled in the
village of .
He had several sons. His eldest he named Wil-
Ham Henry Harrison, after his admired general,
with whom he had an intimate and honorable ac-
quaintance. In respect to the name of his second
son, we must premise an explanation. Being him-
self a mihtary man, it was natural that, like most of
the military men of the country, he should have been
attached to the cause of General Jackson. As a^
military hero, there was much to admire in the gen-
eral's character. But he was thought by some to be
arbitrary, and in some cases cruel. Still, he was
bold and successful. At New Orleans, he had
achieved a victory which established his reputation.
22 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE,
Captain Miller was among the number who thought
that he would shine in the cabinet as he had done in
the field ; and, besides, in common with others, he
felt a sort of gratitude to a man, who had long per-
illed his life and happiness among savages, for his
country. He supported him, therefore, for the presi-
dency, and, like a good many others, on the birth of
his second son, he named him Andrew Jackson, after
the general, who had at the time just entered upon
his office as president. His third son bore the name
of Thomas ; and his fourth and last, the hero of the
adventure related in the first chapter, Joseph — or, as
he was more commonly called, Jose, The two latter
were family names : the one, that of an only brother
of the captain, and the other, that of a brother of
his wife. Mrs. Miller was a woman of strong good
sense, quite domestic, but not unconcerned in all that
interested her husband and his fortunes ; and, being
the daughter of a patriot, she had early learned to
love and desire the welfare of her country.
But Captain Miller, like thousands of others, was
deceived in the ability of General Jackson to wield
successfully the destinies of America. He knew his
reputation as a military man, and he fondly imagined
that he would be equally successful as president of
tHE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 23
the United States ; but he was sadly disappointed.
He watched the progress of his administration, and
was grieved to find that within a few years the coun-
try, which was so prosperous, became so embarrass-
ed and disturbed. But, like others, he had enhsted
iiunself — it was known that he was one of the Jack-
son party — he had talked, written, and acted, for
and with that party. When, in 1837, General Jack-
son intimated his intention to retire, and General
Harrison was brought out as a candidate. Captain
Miller had quite a struggle in his own feelings what
to do. He preferred his old friend. General Harris'
son ; but then he belonged to the Jackson party, and
his circumstances did not then seem to admit of his
enlisting even for an old friend. So he voted for
Mr. Van Buren. But he soon saw his error, and
most heartily repented. Mr. Van Buren's measures,
he became satisfied, were still worse than those of
General Jackson.
The change which thus came over Captain IMiller,
he was not slow to avow ; and, as the time ap-
proaches for the election of a new president. Captain
Miller says, " I can go no longer for Mr. Van Bu-
ren, nor for any administration whose principles and
measures are hke his."
^4 THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
' I have heard him sit down and talk after this man-
ner:
" If I had a ship which always made long and un-
profitable voyages, which brought me in debt, instead
of adding to my gains, I should be quite likely to
inquire into the matter. Why does this ship do so
poorly, when others do so well in the same trade ?
Is she a bad ship ? are her sails poor ? is her rudder
too small? or what is the matter? Perhaps her
captain is in fault. But he had a high reputation
when I first employed him. Almost every one said
he would do well — he made fair promises — and re-
ally appeared to be honest and well-meaning. But
then the ship doesnH work loell. And yet she was
projected and built by the very first mechanics, and
has been examined by them repeatedly, and they say
the reason why she makes poor voyages is not that
the ship is in fault ; she has made good voyages, and
would make them again, if she had a more competent
captain.
" Now," said Captain Miller, " in such a case, what
should I be likely to do ? Why, notwithstanding the
reputation of my captain, I should be quite likely to
change him for another. I might think him honest
and well-disposed ; but still I should say, I cannot
THE HEBO OP TIPPECANOE. 25
afford to lose every thing to gratify him, or keep
him in a good berth I will try another captain, and
see whether the old ship wortt do better. ^^
So Captain Miller reasons ; and not a few of his
neighbors, who value his opinions because they
think him a wise and good man, have adopted them,
and say the ship must have a new captain. The
right ropes are not pulled. The right course is not
pursued. One voyage under General Jackson prov-
ed a bad one, and so has that under Mr. Van Bm-en.
Even if they are honest and well-disposed, they are
not capable. The ship goes wrong. We must try
another captain.
At the time our friend Jose arrived from the gro-
cery, the tea was ready and waiting. Captain Mil-
ler, who was reading a newspaper which had just
arrived, though deeply interested in the views it con-
tained, laid it aside, and the family were soon en-
gaged in taking their tea.
Jose was in his usual place, and for once seemed
to be quite absorbed in his own thoughts, until Cap-
tain Miller remarked to his wife that really the " old
Hero's" prospects of success were brightening every-
day.
At the mention of the " old hero," Jose seemed
B
26 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
to wake up as from a dream. " Father," said he, " I
heard some men up at the store talking about the
* Hero of Tippecanoe.' Pray, who is he ? I never
heard of such a hero."
" Why, my son — never heard of your father's old
general ! — but you are a small boy. You have heard
of the * Hero of New Orleans V "
" Yes, sir," said Jose ; " brother Andrew was nam-
ed after him, but I don't think Andrew much of a
hero."
" Your opinion, Jose, settles that point, I suppose
you think," said Andrew ; " but I shall stick to the
* Hero of New Orleans' a little longer, I believe."
" I should think you would like to change your
name," said Thomas, " so much is said against Gen-
eral Jackson now-a-days."
" No — not I. I wish I were half as brave as the
old general is."
" Names are but of small importance, my chil-
dren," said Mrs. Miller ; " it is far more important
to be wise and good."
" But, father," said Jose, who had stopped eating,
"you've not told me who the 'Hero of Tippecanoe*
is. I asked Jimmy Goodspeed, but — "
" Well, and what did Jimmy say ?"
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 27
"Why, he said he knew, but he did not Hke to
talk about him."
Captain Miller smiled. " There are many," said
he, " who feel very much as Jimmy does. They do
not like to read, hear, or talk about him. But you
wish to know who he is : let me introduce you to
him across the table. Master William Henry Har-
rison"
" William ! What, William, are you the * Hero
of Tippecanoe V " said Jose.
" Don't you think I am ? — don't I look like a hero ?"
" You would look, I think, a little more like one,"
said Jose, " if you sat up a little straighter."
" Why, Jose, you seem to be quite sharp this even-
ing," said William. "I'll try to be a hero, then.
There ! what do you say now ?"
" I am glad master Jose has such a correct idea
of a hero," said Mrs. Miller — " straight in body ;
but it is equally essential to the true hero, that he
should be straight^ or upright, in mind."
"Well, let us now answer Jose's inquiry," said
Captain Miller. "The 'Hero of Tippecanoe' is
JVilliam Henry Harrison, a famous general, who
lives in Ohio, and who commanded the northwestern
army during the late war with England."
28 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOEr
" Was William named after him ?" said Jose.
" Yes, my son. I served under General Harrison
during a considerable part of the war. He is a
good man. I knew him well, and I wish all the
American people knew him as well as I do. There,
would then be little doubt of his election."^
"Some men up at the store," interrupted Jose,
" said he is going to be president ; but one man,
who appeared almost angry, declared he never would
be."
" He meant, he hoped he wouldn't be. There are
many who hope so, but more, I suspect, who hope
he will be. . A great change is taking place. I read
a fine song this evening in the paper, entitled * Old
Tip.' Here it is. The last verse runs thus —
* The people are coming, from plain and from mountainv
To join the brave band of the honest and free,
Which grows, as the stream from the leaf-sheltered fountain,,
Spreads broad and more broad till it reaches the sea ;
No strength can restrain it, no force can retain it,
Whate'er may resist, it breaks gallantly through,
And borne by its motion as a ship on the ocean.
Speeds on in his glory old Tippecanoe.
The iron-hearted soldier, the true-hearted, soldier,
The gallant old soldier of Tippecaoroe.*
**They are * coming'— * the people' — the * peoples
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE. 29
from plain and from mountain,' " said Captain Mil-
ler. " There is no stopping the progress of this en-
thusiasm. It rolls on, and, for aught I know, it will
roll. General Harrison will, I think, take possession
of the * White House' March 4, 1841."
" You will be the first to go and congratulate him,
I conclude," said Andrew, rather significantly, " you
like him so much, father."
" I do like him, my son," repHed Captain Miller,
" and I have great reason for my regard."
" You once thought highly of Andrew Jackson.'^
" Andrev^ Jackson Miller I love now, and trust I
shall ever have reason to love him. I did once re-
gard General Andrew Jackson with much favor, but
as president of the United States he has disappoint-
ed me."
" Father, when you go to see President Harrison,
may I go too ?" inquired Jose.
" It will be time enough to decide that question
when he is elected."
" But you said, you beHeve he will be elected."
" I do, my son — I hope he will — -I beUeve he wilL
He is an able and a good man, and has done much
for his countr}^ He deserves well of it."
" Father," said Thomas, " I was just going to ask
30 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
you to tell us something about his life. You must
know a good deal about him."
" So do," said Jose ; " I love to hear stories."
" There are many interesting incidents in the life
of General Harrison " said Captain Miller. " It will
give me pleasure to relate them. After the table is
removed, and I have written a letter, I will at least
make a beginning."
m
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
3h
Young Harrison reading the comimesion of ensign from Gen. Washington.
CHAPTER III.
Conversation at Captain Miller^ about tJie " Hero of Tippe.
canoe,'''' during^ which, the captain talks more than all the
rest
We left Captain Miller and his family still at the
tea-table, making arrangements for spending the
evening in reciting and listening to some recollec-
tions of the "old Herol^' Which of the group
32 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
was the more pleased with the proposal, the father
or the sons, I cannot undertake to say ; but there
was more than ordinary despatch that evening in
writing the letter to which the former alluded at the
table as necessary to be done ; and nearly as soon as
Mrs. Miller had adjusted the sitting-room for the
evening, the several parties made their appearance.
A table was occupying the centre of the room,
around which they took their seats, and* on which
Captain Miller laid several papers, which he said he
might need by way of illustration in the progress of
his remarks.
" This is a happy hour," said the captain, as he
drew a chair to the table. " I love to know that my
sons are fond of hearing about the history of their
country, and of the men who have fought her battles,
and have figured in her councils. We have had
many great men — noble men — patriots—who sacri-
ficed ease, health, fortune, and life, for their country.
But they are passing aWay. Almost all who braved
the storms of the revolution are already gone. But
Theirs is no vulgar sepulchre ; gSreen sods
Are all their monument — and yet it tells
A nobler history th'an pillar' d pile,
Or the eternal pyramid. They need
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 33
No statue, nor inscription to reveal
Their greatness.'
*' I delight to converse with them, even if they are
gone, or going — to dwell upon their exalted patriot-
ism— their firmness in the day of peril — their ad-
herence to principle, at the hazard of their lives —
their faith and steadfastness, when shipwreck and
ruin stared them in the face — their fortitude under
privation and suffering — their magnanimity and sym-
pathy in the day of victory and triumph. I hope,
my sons, you will read their history, and I am sure
you will venerate and love them. Imitate their vir-
tues, their patriotism,- their piety, and I shall feel
proud of my sons."
" Father," said Jose, " I thought you were going to
tell about General Harrison — "
" Don't be so fast, Jose," said WiUiam ; " Fm sure
I should like to hear father talk thus all night."
" You do me great honor, my son," said Captain
Miller. " On such a theme I scarcely know when
to stop. But it is time, I believe, to gratify
Jose.
" William Henry Harrison is a native of Virginia.
His birthplace is Berkley, a town or village situa-
ted on the banks of James River, about twenty-five
3
34 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
miles below Richmond, and forty miles above James-
town.
" At this place William Henry Harrison was born,
February 9th, 1773."
" He is quite an old man," said Andrew — ^" as old,
I guess, as my namesake ; and no one would think
of so old a man for president as General Jackson is
now."
" You mistake, my son," said Captain Miller.
" General Jackson was born on the 15th of March,
1767. Hence he is six years older than General
Harrison.
" William Henry was the third and youngest son
of Benjamin Harrison, who was a distinguished
man in Virginia, and a member of the celebrated
congress of 1774 and 1776."
"My History of the United States says he was
one who signed the Declaration of Independence^
said Thomas.
" I am glad you so well recollect your history,"
said Captain Miller. " That was a noble body of
men, and as long as America lasts, their boldness in
signing and publishing that Declaration will be re-
membered with patriotism."
" Father," observed William, " you speak of
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE. 36
boldness^ I don't see what great courage was need-
ed,"
" It is because of your ignorance, my son. The
Declaration of Independence was one of the boldest
acts of the revolution. Napoleon never took a
bolder step. There were thirteen colonies ; but
they were feeble — with less than three millions of
people — no veteran army — no navy — no arsenals
but barns — no munitions of war — scarcely a fortifi-
cation— no public treasury — no power to lay a tax —
and no credit upon which to obtain a loan.
" Was there nothing bold in such a people rising
up against England, and saying they were free, and
would be free and independent ? England was the
mistress of the world — her armies were numerous —
her soldiers veterans — her navy unrivalled — her
statesmen subtle and sagacious — her generals skilful
and practised.
"All this the congress of '76 well knew. And
they knew that if they published that Declaration
and any one of them should be taken by the Eng
lish, he would be hung. And this was quite likel
to come to pass. It was a solemn time, thereforj
with them — and a solemn question, whether the
should make such a declaration.
36 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
" But the question went round, * Shall the Decla-^
ration be adopted V — Each rose, and said * YesJ
William Henry Harrison's father ,was there, and he
said ' Yes.' The whole fifty-six said * Yes' — not a
solitary 'Nay.* It was a great occasion. In due
time, after the question was taken, the Declaration
was written neatly and fairly on parchment, which
was brought in to be signed by the several mem-
bers.
" John Hancock being president, signed his name
first. It is remarkable how strong he bore down
upon his pen. It seemed as if he meant to say — If
this be an act of treason, it shall be treason indeed.
Each one followed him — each wrote his name with
the same pen — and that pen is still preserved.
" Benjamin Harrison, the father of Wilham Henry,
was among the number; and there his name will
stand, and the names of his patriotic associates, as
long as America lasts, a noble monument of theri'
courage, patriotism, and fidelity.
" I do not mean to intimate, my children," con-
tinued Captain Miller, "that any one has a claim to
office because his ancestors were great and honor-
able, or because they performed eminent service to
their country. But a virtuous, high-minded, and
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE. 3t
tisefal ancestry, is always regarded as honorable.
We are so made as to put this estimate upon it ; and
he that is so fortunate as to have such ancestors,
should feel his responsibihty to imitate their virtues.
It is a powerful motive to pattern after them ; and
the instances are not few in the country, where
sons, much to their honor, have followed in the foot-
steps of their illustrious sires. WiUiam Henry Har-
rison is a fine example.
" I shall only add in respect to his father, that he
•afterwards held several distinguished offices in Vir-
ginia, and among them that of governor. At length
he died, 1791, leaving behind him the reputation of
a devoted patriot, an able counsellor, and a useful
man.
"Many of the patriots of the revolution died
comparatively poor. They had no opportunity to
acquire wealth, as theu' time, talents, and services
w^ere devoted to a countiy too poor to remunerate
them. The little fortunes which they had acquired,
were expended for their families while they were
busy in the councils, and not a few of them were
obliged to advance funds to aid in carrying forward
the measures which their wisdom and patriotism de-
cided to be necj^ssBxy. Governor Harrison was
38 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
among the number. He left his children little more
than his example, and the good- will of his contem-
porary patriots.
" William Henry was at this time in the college
of Hampden Sidney, pursuing his studies, prepara-
tory to the study of medicine. As he was under
age when his father died, Robert Morris, another
distinguished man, consented to act as his guardian.
" Just about this time the country became greatly
alarmed, in consequence of the ravages of Indi-
ans on the northwestern frontier. These tribes em-
braced the Miamies, Hurons, Delawares, Chippewas,
and several others. They were powerful and war-
like. The country was thinly inhabited. Families
were exposed to their deadly hostility ; and, in not
a few instances, women and children were suddenly
assaulted, and either barbarously wounded, or carried
into a long and distressing captivity.
"In 1790, General Harmar was appointed to take
the field against these Indians. His force was about
fifteen hundred men ; three hundred and twenty of
whom were regular troops — the rest militia.
" On the 30th of September, General Harmar set
forth with his troops from Fort Washington — a fort
which stood on a spot near which the city of Cin-
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 39
cinnati has since been built. His object was to bring
the Indians to an engagement, or, if that could not
be effected, to destroy their settlements on the wa-
ters of the Scioto and Wabash.
" General Harmar had been an officer in the rev-
olutionary war, and great things were expected of
him. He succeeded in destroying some villages,
and considerable quantities of corn, which the Indi-
ans had laid in store for the winter. But on his
return, having arrived within eight miles of Chili-
cothe, he halted, with a view of doing something
more for his honor and that of his army.
" From this place he detached three hundred and
sixty men, with orders to find the enemy and attack
them. This they did. But the engagement was
unfortunate for the Americans. A considerable
number of Indians were killed, but not less than one
hundred of the militia fell during the engagement,
among whom were ten officers. The survivors
hastily retreated, and having joined the main body,
the whole returned to Fort Washington.
" The result of this expedition was severely felt
and deeply deplored. General Harmar was removed,
and Major-general Arthur St. Clair was appointed
to succeed him.
40 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
" Washington, at this time being president, was
anxious to do all in his power to protect the fron-
tier, and congress having voted him large sums to
carry on the war, he ordered General St. Clair to
undertake an expedition, in which he was directed
to destroy the Indian villages on the Miami, and to
expel the savages from the country.
" Troops were enhsted slowly, and not until Sep-
tember had St. Clair such a number as he deemed
necessary to enter upon the campaign. On the 3d
of November, with fourteen hundred men, he en-
camped on a commanding ground about fifteen miles
south of the Miami village. The militia took a
position across a creek, in advance of the regular
;goldiers.
"The next morning, about half an hour before
sunrise, a body of Indians suddenly attacked the
mihtia, who immediately fled across the creek, and
rushing in where the regular soldiers were encamp-
ed, threw them into confusion. The officers sprung
forward, and endeavored to rally their men. The
Indians pursued with savage yells. The battle be-
came terrible. The American soldiers poured in
their fire, and the cannon spread destruction on
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 41
every side — ^the Indians pressing up to their very
mouths.
" At length resort was had to the bayonet ; and
now, for a short time, the Indians fell back; but
they rallied again. The gallant General Butler fell,
mortally wounded. But I cannot," said Captain
Miller, " pursue further the details of this disastrous
contest. The defeat of the Americans was signal,
and the destruction appalling. Thirty-eight com-
missioned officers were killed on the field, and five
hundred and ninety-three non-commissioned officers
and privates were slain or missing. Between two
and three hundred officers and privates were wound-
ed, many of whom afterwards died.
"But it is time to return to our young friend,
WiUiam Henry Harrison. He was, as I said, at this
time a member of college. The Indian war at the
west was engaging the attention of the country.
The spirits of many were roused, and young Harrison
was among the number. He panted for the field —
he longed for an opportunity to distinguish himself;
and, at length, he determined to abandon the halls of
college, and seek his fortune in the wilds of the west.
" Robert Morris, his guardian, for a time opposed
42 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
his design ; but Washington, who had been an inti-'
mate friend of his father's, encouraged his youthful
genius, and gave him a commission, as ensign, in the
First Regiment of United States Artillery, then sta-
tioned at Fort Washington, on the Ohio.
" Ensign Harrison, yet only eighteen years of age,
soon departed for the scene of his toils. He was
young, ardent, and ambitious. He reached Fort
Washington shortly after St. Clair's defeat, and there
entered upon that line of services which for a period
of nearly forty years he continued ; in all which he
sustained a reputation most honorable to himself and
useful to his country.
" I do not design, my children," said Captain Mil-
ler, " to follow Harrison through the various inci-
dents of his hfe. They are so many, and so various,
and so connected and interwoven with the history
of the country, that it would prove tedious to your
youthful minds. I will give you, in one view, the
outUnes of his eventful life, and afterwards notice
such particular incidents as may seem most striking
and important."
Here taking a paper from the table, he read as
follows :
THE HERO or TIPPECANOE. 43
** William H. Harrison was born in Virginia, on
the 9th of February, 1773.
"In 1791, when nineteen years of age, he was ap-
pointed by Washington an ensign in our infant
army.
"In 1792, he was promoted to the rank of lieu-
tenant ; and in 1793 he joined the legion under
General Wayne, and in a few days thereafter was
selected by him as one of his aids.
"On the 24th of August, 1794, he distinguished
himself in the battle of the Miami, and elicited
the most flattering written approbation of General
Wayne.
" In 1795, he was made a captain, and was placed
in command of Fort Washington.
" In 1797, he was appointed, by President Adams,
secretary 6f the Northwestern Territory, and ex-
officio, lieutenant governor.
"In 1798, he was chosen a delegate to congress.
" In 1801, he was appointed governor of Indiana ;
and in the same year. President Jefferson appointed
him sole commissioner for treating with the Indians.
" In 1809, he was reappointed governor of Indiana
by Madison.
44 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
"On the 6th of November, 1811, he gained the
great battle of Tippecanoe,
"On the 11th of September, 1812, he was ap-
pointed by Madison commander-in-chief of the
northwestern army.
"On the 28th of April, 1813, the siege of Fort
Meigs commenced — lasted twelve days, and was
terminated by the brilliant and successful sortie of
General Harrison.
"On the 31st of July, 1813, the battle of Fort
Stephenson occurred.
"On the 5th of October, 1813, he gained the
splendid victory of the Thames, over the British and
Indians under Proctor."
"In 1814, he was appointed by Madison one of
the commissioners to treat with the Indians ; and in
the same year, with his colleagues. Governor Shelby
and General Cass, concluded his celebrated treaty
of Greenville.
"In 1815, he was again appointed such commis-
sioner with General McArthur and Mr. Graham,
and negotiated a treaty at Detroit.
"In 1816, he was elected a member of congress.
"In January, 1818, he introduced a resolution in
honor of Kosciusko, and supported it in one of tfee
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE. 45
most feeling, classical, and eloquent speeches ever
made in the house of representatives.
"In 1819, he was elected a member of the Ohio
senate.
" In 1824, he was elected senator in congress, and
was appointed in 1825 chairman of the mihtary
committee in place of General Jackson, who had re-
signed.
" In 1827, he was appointed minister to Colombia,
and in 1828 wrote his immortal letter to Bolivar, the
deliverer of South America."
" We will here conclude our relations to-night,"
said Captain MiUer, " and, if alive and well, will re-
sume to-morrow evening."
46
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
Escort of the Packhorses,
CHAPTER IV.
Captain Miller continues Ms conversation, in wliicTi lie tells
about further troubles with the Indians, and a decisive
victory over them.
At an early hour on the evening following, Cap-
tain Miller and his family were again seated round
the table. He had become deeply interested in the
recollections of former events himself, and there was
THE HERO OF TEPPECANOE. ^ 47
no lack of attention on the part of his youthful au-
ditors.
" I told you last evening, my children, that I did
not purpose a regular biography of the ' Hero of
Tippecanoe,' — only sketches of some of the most
prominent incidents of his Hfe. This will be suffi-
cient for my purpose, and will be more interesting
to you.
" He reached Fort Washington, as I stated, soon
after the defeat of St. Clair's army. That defeat
w^as unexpected, and produced great consternation
through the country. The depredations of the sav-
ages became more furious and ferocious than ever ;
and tragical scenes were enacted in various places
along the frontier, and even in some of the most
populous sections of the country.
"I could relate many affecting incidents which
occurred, but will content myself with one, which
happened somewhere about this time, and which will
serve to show the temper of the savages, and the
boldness and intrepidity of the frontier inhabitants.
" A dwelhng-house, I believe in some part of Ken-
tucky, not far from the borders of the Ohio, was at-
tacked by a party of Indians. The proprietor, Mr.
Merrill, was alarmed by the barking of his dog.
48 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
On going to the door, he received the fire of the as-
sailants, which broke his right leg and arm. They
attempted to enter the house, but were anticipated
in their movement by Mrs. Merrill and her daughter,
who closed the door in so effectual a manner as to
keep them at bay. They next began to hew a pas-
sage through the door, and one of the warriors at-
tempted to enter through the aperture ; but the re-
solute mother, seizing an axe, gave him a fatal blow
upon the head, and then, with the assistance of her
daughter, drew his body in. His companions with-
out, not apprised of his fate, but supposing him suc-
cessful, followed through the same aperture, and
four of the number were thus killed, before their
mistake was discovered. They now retired a few
moments, but soon returned, and renewed their exer-
tions to force the house.
" Despairing of entering by the door, they climbed
upon the roof, and made an effort to descend by the
chimney. Mr. Merrill directed his little son to
empty the contents of a large feather bed<^upon the
fire, which soon caused so dense a smoke, as nearly
to suffocate those who made this desperate attempt,
and two of them fell into the fireplic^. The mo-
ment was critical ; the mother and daughter could
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE, 49
not quit their stations at the door ; and the husband,
though groaning with his broken leg and arm, rous-
ing every exertion, seized a billet of wood, and with
repeated blows despatched the two half-smothered
Indians. In the mean time, the mother had repelled
a fresh assault upon the door, and severely wounded
one of the Indians, who attempted simultaneously to
enter there, while the others descended the chimney.
" Su<:h was the character of these savages, near
whom some of our people lived, and with whom our
army had to contend.
"It is related of Harrison, that at the time he en-
tered the camp he was young, slender, and appa-
rently of a feeble constitution, and that his compan-
ions in arms, in pity for him, advised him to resign
his commission and go home. But they did not know
the spirit of the youthful warrior. So far from ac-
cepting their advice, he sought and soon found an
opportunity to evince his energy and capacity. A
train of packhorses were to be escorted to Fort Ham-
ilton, on the Miami, a distance of twenty or thirty
miles from Fort Washington. The command of
this escort was given to Harrison, young as he was.
The country was filled with hostile savages ; and
hence the undertaking was considered eminently
4 c
50 THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
perilous, requiring great caution and constant watch-
fulness. The service, however, was so successfully-
performed, that General St. Clair, who was still in
command, expressed his especial approbation of the
young ensign, and the manner in which he had dis-
charged his commission.
" The condition of the frontier inhabitants con-
tinuing painful and alarming, General St. Clair re-
tired from the command of the army, and was suc-
ceeded by General Anthony Wayne. During the
revolutionary war this officer had greatly distin-
guished himself. He was so impetuous as to have
acquired the title of Mad Anthony ; yet few had
more discretion and sagacity. The Indians were
well acquainted with his reputation, and, it is said,
a knowledge of his appointment had a sensible effect
on their sports. They gave him the title of Black
Snake, from the superior cunning they ascribed to
him, and even allowed him to be a match for their
most distinguished warrior. Blue Jacket, or the
Turtle himself
" It was some time after his appointment, before
Greneral Wayne was prepared to enter upon any
decisive measures. In April, 1793, he collected his
forces at Fort Washington, where Harrison, who
^'^i
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 51
had been raised to a lieutenancy, joined him. The
spirit, enterprise, and energy of the latter soon at-
tracted the notice of General Wayne, who appointed
him one of his aids-de-camp, in which honorable but
laborious station he continued during the remainder
of the war.
"On the opening of the campaign of 1794, Gen-
eral Wayne prosecuted his measures with great
rigor. He was determined that something decisive
should be done ; but before he proceeded to ex-
tremities, he resolved to try the effect of one more
proposal of peace. He had in his army a man by
the name of Miller, who had long been a captive
with some of the tribes, and him he selected for the
hazardous enterprise.
" But Miller did not like the scheme. He knew
the Indian temper. He was satisfied that they had
determined on war, and that even a messenger of
peace would be in danger of falling a sacrifice to
their vengeance. General Wayne, however, hoping
to bring about a peace, persuaded Miller to go ; tc
which, at length, he consented, upon condition thaf;
eight Indians, whom they had taken prisoner.;
should be held as hostages, and that one Imkan ar
a squaw should accompany him. w
52 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
" With these, Miller left the camp at four o'clock In
the afternoon, and, by travelling all night, reached
the tents of the hostile chiefs at daybreak the next
morning, undiscovered. He immediately displayed
his flag, and proclaimed himself ' a messenger.' But
he was instantly assailed on all sides v^^ith a hideous
yell, and a call to * kill the runner! kill the spy /'
" Upon this, he accosted them in their ow^n lan-
guage. He made know^n his object, at the same
time shov^ing them General Wayne's letter, in vs^hich
he assured the chiefs that if they did not send the
bearer back to him by the sixteenth of the month,
he would at sunset of that day cause every Indian
prisoner in his possession to be put to death.
" Miller was closely confined, and a council called
by the chiefs. On the fifteenth he was liberated,
and furnished with an answer to General Wayne,
stating, ' that if he waited where he was ten days,
and then sent Miller for them, they would treat with
him ; but that if he advanced, they would give him
battle.' The general's impatience had prevented
his waiting the return of the messenger. On the
sixteenth. Miller came up with the army on its
march,«Qd delivered the answer ; to which he add-
ed, that 'from the manner in which the Indians
*;<Jffi''-
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE. 53
were dressed and painted, and the constant arrival
of parties, it was his opinion they had determined
on war, and only wanted time to muster their
whole force.'
" This intelhgence roused the spirit of the bold
and daring General Wayne, and he pressed his march
down the Miami. On the 18th he reached the Ra-
pids. On the 19th he halted within a few miles of
the enemy. Early the next morning he resumed
his march, and about ten o'clock his spies, who were
a mile in advance, were fired upon. The army was
immediately halted, and separated into two divisions.
The battle soon ensued, and a hard fought battle it
was. The Indians felt that upon the issue their fate
depended. They knew General Wayne's spirit and
impetuosity, and they fought accordingly. It was
a most sanguinary conflict. The cavalry did great
execution with the sabre, cutting the Indians down,
until, panic-struck, they fled in confusion.
" The victory was complete for the Long Knives^ as
the Indians called the Americans, on account of their
use of the broadsword. (General Wayne lost in kill-
ed and wounded one hundred and thirty-three. The
loss of the Indians was supposed to be much greater.
** In his official account of the engagement, Gen-
54 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
eral' Wayne mentions with honor his ^faithful and
gallant aid-de-campy Lieutenant Harrison^ as having
rendered the most essential service by communica-
ting orders in eveiy direction, and by his conduct
and bravery exciting the troops to press for victory.'
This was greatly to the honor of young Harrison,
and must have been highly gratifying to a youth of
his spirit and ambition.
" It is related that on the evening before this bat-
tle, the Indians knowing that Wayne and his army
were in the neighborhood, it was proposed in coun-
cil to go forth and attack them that very night.
After much deliberation, it was decided to wait till
the following day. The chief called Little Turtle
advised to make no attack at all. But Blue Jacket
insisted that they should fight. Little Turtle had a
better knowledge of Wayne than the other chiefs.
He feared the man, and advised to peace. 'We
have beaten the enemy,' said he at the council,
* twice, under separate commanders. We cannot
expect the same good fortune always to attend us.
The Americans are now led by a chief who never
sleeps. The night and the day are alike to him ; and
during all the time that he has been marching upon
our villages, notwithstanding the watchfulness of our
THE HERO OF TIPPECAJfOE. 55
men, we have never been able to suprise him. Think
well of it. There is something whispers me it would
be prudent to listen to his offers of peace.'
" On this he was reproached by one of the chiefs
with cowardice, and that ended the conference.
Stung to the quick by a reproach which he was con-
scious he never merited, he would have laid the re-
viler dead at his feet : but his was not the bravery
of the assassin. He took his post in the action, de-
termined to do his duty ; and the event proved that
he had formed no very erroneous estimate of the
character of General Wayne.
" The spirit of the Indians was broken by the
above decisive victory, and by the severe losses which
they suffered in consequence. Not long after, they
offered to enter into negotiations for peace ; and
Wayne's war, as it was called, ended on the 3d of
August, 1795, at which time a treaty was made with
them at Greenville, which was faithfully observed
till the battle of Tippecanoe, sixteen years after.
About this battle I shall have occasion to tell you
hereafter.
" In consequence of Harrison's services during the
campaign, and especially his gallant conduct in the
final battle, he was promoted to be a captain, and,
56 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
what was more honorable to him as a military man,
he was placed by General Wayne in command of
the important post, Fort Washington. Wayne had
here a full trial of his courage and capacity ; and
though it would have been pleasant to have had him
about his person, he felt it due to Harrison, as a re-
ward of his fidelity, and importfint to the interests
of the country, to give him this command. Well
did he merit the reward ; and any duty which grew
out of his new station, he fulfilled with great pru-
dence and ability.
" Being thus in a measure relieved from the perils
and uncertainties of field, or rather forest, services,
Harrison made an offer of his hand, which was ac-
cepted, to a daughter of John Cleves Symmes, the
founder of the Miami settlements, and of the city
of Ohio.
" And now," said Captain Miller, " that we have
placed our good friend in a safe and hon'Orable sta-
tion, and seen him comfortably married, we will take
leave of him for the night, hoping to renew our ac-
quaintance with him and his fortunes to-morrow
evening.
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 59
ing the Northwestern Territory. By this division,
what is now the state of Ohio was made a territory
by itself, and the remainder of the Northwestern
Territory received the name of Indiana. At the
close of the session, Harrison was appointed gov-
ernor of Indiana Territory.
" In this capacity his labors were very arduous,
and very responsible. He presided over a vast ter-
ritory."
" Father," interrupted Andrew, " you say this was
a vast territory — did it include more than the present
state of Indiana ?"
" It was a much larger tract, including not only
Indiana, but also what now constitutes the states of
Illinois, Michigan, and the territory of Wisconsin."
Captain Miller continued. " Numerous tribes of
Indians inhabited it, and it was oftentimes difficult to
manage them ; but Governor Harrison had had great
experience. He was well acquainted with the Indian
character. He had seen them — been with them —
had always treated them kindly, and had gained their
confidence and good- will. They loved and respect-
ed him as a father. He often entered into negotia-
tions with them — concluded thirteen important trea-
ties with the different tribes, and obtained for the
60 THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
United States not less than sixty millions of acres of
their lands ; fifty-one millions of which were obtain-
ed at one time. The largest tract ever ceded to our
government in a single treaty.
" But I will dwell no longer on these details," said
Captain Miller, " but hasten to a more important and
interesting event, the Battle of Tippecanoe.
" This battle was fought on the 7th of November,
1811."
" Will you please first tell me, father, where Tip-
pecanoe is situated ?" asked Thomas.
" Tippecanoe is the Indian name of a river in In-
diana. It is about one hundred and seventy-six
miles long, and joins the river Wabash four hundred
and twenty miles from its mouth."
" I thought," said Thomas, " it was the name of a
town."
" Not of a town," said Captain Miller, " but of an
Indian encampment, or the residence of a celebra-
ted Indian Prophet, who, with his equally celebra-
ted brother Tecumseh, was the instigator of the war.
Before the details of this battle, you will like to hear
something of these distinguished chiefs, and of their
movements which led to it.
Tecumseh and Elsk-wa-ta-wa, or, as some wri-
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE. 61
ters spell his name, Ol-li-wa-chi-ca, were twin bro-
thers. It is even said that there were a trio of bro-
thers at the same birth, and that the name of the third
was KUM-SHA-KA.
" Tecumseh signifies ' The crouching Panther.^
According to Mr. Schoolcraft, Elsk-wa-ta-wa means
* A fire that is moved from place to placed But others
say, it means ' The open door,^ or ' The loud voice' or
'Prophet:
" Little is known of the early years of these bro-
thers. Their father fell in battle while they were
yet mere boys. Tecumseh, it appears, gave striking
evidence in his boyhood of the singular spirit which
characterized him through life. He was a savage,
however, of more principle than most others. He
seemed to have a great regard for truth, and never
indulged in the excessive use of food or liquor. He
early distinguished himself as a warrior, and the love
of glory was his ruling passion.
" His brother, the Prophet, was quite a different
character — notorious for his cunning, and love of
fraud and deception.
"About the year 1804, Elsk-wa-ta-wa announced
himself as a prophet, and began to preach. By
some it is supposed that he and Tecumseh, about this
62 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
time, conceived the project of uniting all the western
Indians against the United States, and that this plan
was confirmed afterwards by the prospect of a war
between this country and England.
" If such a project ever existed, the Prophet was
the man to carry it forward. He had great art, and
his preaching addressed itself powerfully to the In-
dians. He exhorted the tribes to fight no more with
one another — they were brethren. He exhorted
them to abandon ardent spirits — to wear skins in-
stead of blankets — in short, to avoid imitating the
whites, and to return to the more original manners
and customs of their ancestors.
" For a time, the Prophet had little success ; but
the Indians being very superstitious, and afraid oji
provoking his curse, they came by degrees to ac-
knowledge his pretensions. His power became
great, and was greatly increased by his claim, that
the Great Spirit had endowed him with the ability
of seeing into the hearts of every one — and conse-
quently he could tell who were friends, and who
were foes. Under this pretension, several chiefs
whom he suspected were accused, and suficred death
by his order.
" I will give you an account of the death of a
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE. 63
celebrated Wyandot chief, known by the English
name of Leather Lips, He was known to be friend-
ly to the American cause, in opposition to the Eng-
lish. He was sixty-three years of age, and a most
exemplary chief. Being suspected, the Prophet
despatched an influential chief with four other In-
dians to kill him. He was found at home, and noti-
fied of the sentence which had been passed upon him.
He entreated, leasoned, and promised, but all in vain.
The messengers set about digging his grave by the
side of his wigwam. He now dressed him.self in his
finest war-clothes, and having refreshed himself with
a hasty meal, knelt down on the bri-nk of the grave.
His executioner knelt with him, and offered up a
prayer to the Great Spirit in his behalf. A young
Indian then approached him and struck him twice
with a tomahawk ; but, finding that he still breathed,
a third blow was given, which terminated his life.
The office of burial was soon performed.
" Such was the power of this Prophet over the
fives of others — and it may be added as further proof
of his astonishing influence, that one of the execu-
tioners of the Wyandot chief was a brother.
" During the year 1807, reports came to the ears
of General Harrison respecting the movements of
64 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
the Indians, and especially those of the Prophet.
Upon this he sent a ' Speech' to the Shawanese
chiefs, couched in severe terms. Most of the chiefs
being absent, the Prophet sent the following reply to
Harrison :
"'Father!
" ' I am very sorry that you listen to the advice
of bad birds. You have impeached vne with having
corresponded with the British, and with calling and
sending for the Indians from the most distant parts
of the country, to listen to a fool that speaks not the
words of the Great Spirit, but the words of the devil.
Father ! these impeachments I deny, and say they
are not true. I never had a word with the British,
and I never sent for any Indians. They came here
themselves, to listen and hear the words of the Great
Spirit.
" ' Father ! I wish you would not listen any more
to the voice of bad birds ; and you may rest assured
that it is the least of our idea to make disturbance,
and we will rather try to stop such proceedings
than encourage them.'
" This was as false as it was artful. In May or
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE. 65
June, 1808, the Prophet took up his residence at
Tippecanoe. Here, for two years, he continued se-
cretly to foment jealousies and disturbances. At
length, in the latter part of April, 1810, a trader,
who had been for some time at the residence of the
impostor, informed Governor Harrison that the
Prophet had enhsted three hundred and fifty to
four hundred men. About the middle of May, ru-
mor magnified this force to six or eight hundred
warriors, and the combination was said to have ex-
tended to several distant tribes.
" At length the intentions of the Prophet were
fully ascertained, and the governor made prepara-
tion to meet the rising storm.
" In the mean time, Tecumseh arid tJie Prophet
continued to urge on the Indians in their hostile feel-
ings. They encouraged them to steal horses, plun-
der houses, and murder females. The whole frontier
became a scene of agitation and alarm.
" Orders, at length, ca/ne from the government to
Governor Harrison to move towards Tippecanoe
with an armed force — but ' not to fight unless neces-
sity required.'
" On the 28th of October the troops were put in
motion from Fort Harrison, on the Wabash, about
5
f)b THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
sixty miles from Vincennes, the capital of Indiana.
They consisted of three hundred and fifty United
States soldiers, and five hundred and fifty volun-
teer militia, including a squadron of dragoons, and
three companies of mounted riflemen.
" On the 5th of November they encamped within
nine or ten miles of the Prophet's tow^n. On the
morning following, the march continued, and at the
distance of three or four miles, Indians began occa-
sionally to be seen.
" When within three miles of the town, an officer
was sent forward with a flag ; but, seeing a numer-
ous party attempting to cut him off* from the army,
he returned. As the army approached still nearer,
a counsellor of the Prophet, with two other Indians,
came forth and demanded the reason of this hostile
show. They staled that the Prophet wished for
peace, and had sent a message to that effect by
several chiefs, who had missed of meeting the gov-
ernor.
"Upon this intelligence—whether true or false,
the governor had no means of ascertaining — he con-
sented to suspend hostilities, and a council was agreed
upon for the following day.
" Governor Harrison, however, was on his guard.
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 67
He well knew the treachery of the Indian character,
and least of all h^d he any confidence in the Pro-
phet. Although unwilling to believe that a night
attack would be hazarded, he ordered every prepa-
ration to be made. The troops rested in their
clothes, with their muskets loaded by their sides,
and their bayonets fixed. The officers had their
swords and sabres within reach. The governor's
horse was harnessed, and ready to be mounted.
" The night passed away without disturbance. At
four in the morning, the governor and his aids had
risen, and were engaged in conversation before the
fire. The moon was shedding a dim light through
the clouds which were floating over her face. Just
as the signal was about being given to the troops to
rouse from their slumbers, the sound of guns was
heard at a short distance, and in a moment all was
motion in the camp.
" The Indians had crept close to the sentinels, with
an intention to leap upon and despatch them. For-
tunately, one of the sentinels discovered an Indian
creeping through the grass, and, levelling, killed him
on the spot.
" This circumstance caused the Indians to spring
forward, and round the soldiers, who in a few sec-
68 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
onds were ready for the charge. The yell was loud
and terrific. The onset was desperate.
"Immediately, the night-fires of the Americans
were extinguished, because they showed where the
Americans were. The governor was on his horse,
and passed rapidly along the line. He exhorted the
soldiers, and bid them fight for their wives and their
children.
" The troops, animated by his presence, met the
charge with corresponding valor and enthusiasm ;
and soon after daylight the enemy were repulsed,
and such as did not fall, took hasty shelter in the
recesses of a neighboring swamp.
" The American force employed amounted to
about eight hundred men. Sixty-one were killed,
and about double that number were wounded. The
governor narrowly escaped, having the hair of his
head cut by u rifle ball, which passed through the
rim of his hat. The number of Indians was esti-
mated at eight hundred or one thousand. They left
thirty-eight warriors dead upon the field, besides
those whom they buried in the town, who were car-
ried thither wounded, during the battle.
" Tecumseh was absent at the time of the battle,
engaged in rousing the Indians at the south. The
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
Prophet, it is said, took no part in the engagement,
but having taken a station on a neighboring emi-
nence, employed himself in singing a war song,
" Thus ended the battle of Tippecanoe, in which
Governor Harrison displayed the greatest energy,
prudence, and sagacity. The legislature of Indiana
approved his conduct in the highest terms. The
assembly of Kentucky resolved, ' that for his cool,
deliberate, skilful, and gallant conduct in the battle
of Tippecanoe, he deserved the thanks of the na-
tion.' President Madison, in a message to congress,
said, ' Congress will see with satisfaction the daunt-
less spirit and fortitude victoriously displayed by
every description of troops engaged, as well as the
collected firmness which distinguished their com-
mander, on an occasion requiring the utmost exer-
tion of valor and discipline.'
" I will only add," observed Captain Miller, " that
the day following was spent in taking care of the
wounded, burying the dead, and fortifying the camp.
The next day, the dragoons were ordered to recon-
noitre the town. It was found entirely deserted.
Whatever was considered useful to the army was
removed, after which the torch was applied to the
tents, and the whole reduced to ashes.
70 THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
" Thus ended the celebrated battle of Tippecanoe,
from which Governor Harrison acquired the title
of * The Hero of Tippecanoe.'
" On the 7th, the American troops struck their
tents, and set forth on their return. The number
of wounded was so great, that it was found neces-
sary to employ every wagon to transport them.
Consequently, the baggage of officers and men was
obliged to be destroyed. General Harrison set the
example, by ordering his own camp furniture to be
burned. This done, the army proceeded on their
march, and at length reached Vincennes, without
further molestation."
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE. 71
Storm scene in the woods.
CHifl>TER VI.
A short chapter, in which Captain Miller relates some an-
ecdotes about the " old Hero.^^
" I MUST pass over a good many particulars," said
Captain Miller, as he resumed his narrative the next
evening, " which would be interesting, had I time to
relate them. But these you can read at another
72 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
time, in some biography of the *old Hero/ My
object is to narrate the most important incidents in
his life, and to pass rapidly on."
Here turning to William, Captain Miller inquired,
" Do you recollect when the last war with England
was declared ?"
"I believe in 1812," replied William, "but I do
not recollect the month, nor the day."
" On the 8th of June of that year," said Captain
Miller. " In this war. General Harrison was destin-
ed to act a conspicuous part. No man was of more
service to his country. No general had a higher
reputation for bravery, skill, and perseverance. He
was the idol of the northwestern army. The soldiers
had the most implicit confidence in him. They knew
that if they were sick, he would see them taken care
of; if wounded, they would Hot be left to suffer. If
there was only a crust of bread, their general would
share it with them. Where he led, they were ready
to follow, — in rain, as well as in sunshine — through
forests and swamps, as well as over the smooth and
verdant prairie. His discipline was very" strict, yet
he always so contrived matters as to secure the good-
will and kind feelings of his soldiers. During all his
command, it is said he never suffered a militia sol-
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. IS
dier to receive a degrading punishment. Flogging
the negligent was unknown, for none were negli-
gent ; and no shooting of deserters, for none de-
serted.
" The happy manner in which he sometimes man-
aged may be illustrated by an occurrence which
took place at Fort Defiance, a post on the Maumee
not far from Lake Erie, soon after he took command
of the northwestern army.
" It was late at night when he reached the fort.
Soon after he had retired to rest, he was awakened
by Colonel Allen and Major Hardin, who informed
him that Allen's regiment of Kentucky militia were
in open mutiny, and resolved on going home. The
reason assigned was, that they were exhausted by
hardship, and disappointed in their expectation of
an immediate engagement.
" General Harrison listened to the officers' state-
ment, and when they had concluded, he directed
them to leave the management of the case to him.
That night he issued no orders, and took no further
notice of the subject, except to direct an alarm to
be beat at four o'clock in the morning,
" At four, therefore, what was the surprise of the
army, as they roused from their slumbers, to hear
74 THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
the drums sounding an alarm. Instantly every sol-
dier was equipped and ready for battle. The troops
were ordered to form a hollow square.
"This done, General Harrison, mounted on his
charger, rode up, and entered the square. The
troops were surprised to see him. He had arrived
in camp late the night before, and they were igno-
rant of the fact.
" They turned their eye upon him. Immediately
he addressed them in his usual courteous manner — -
rendered solemn, however, by the deep grief which
the mutiny had occasioned.
" He expressed his regret that dissatisfaction and
discontent had appeared, and especially among those
whom he had been accustomed to regard as devoted
and self-denying patriots. The war and its hard-
ships were before them. The quiets and comforts
of home were not to be found in the fields and for-
ests, in the storms and contests, through which they
must wander, and which they must experience. If,
then, any were disheartened, they had liberty to re-
tire. Turning to the regiment in which the spirit
of mutiny had appeared — ^ Brave Kentuckians 1'
said he, * is it you who are faint-hearted ? You, in
whose veins flows blood drawn from sires who
THE KERO OF TIPPECANOE. 76
never cowered in the field of battle. How will
those sires receive you ? Will you fill your wives
and daughters with shame V
" In some such terms did the gallant and warm-
hearted hero address them. The appeal was irre-
sistible. At this moment, Colonel Scott, the senior
Kentucky colonel, advanced and addressed his troops,
— * Come,' said he, * fellow-soldiers, give the " Hero
of Tippecanoe" three cheers, in token of your satis-
faction, your patriotism, and determination to abide
by his standard.' The voices of the soldiers in an
instant broke forth into loud and long acclamations ;
and from that moment no murmur was heard in the
camp of Harrison, nor a wish to return home ex-
pressed.
" The hardships of the 'soldiers were, however,
by no means imaginary. The country was new.
Storms were frequent. On the cold and damp
ground the soldiers were often obliged to encamp
by night, with scanty provisions, and those, too, of
an inferior quality.
" The expedients of General Harrison to keep up
the courage and good-humor of his ti'oops, were
often most happy. One instance must suffice. Hear-
76 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
ing that Fort Defiance was threatened with an at-
tack from the British and Indians combined, he
hastened to reUeve it. On a certain night, the
troops were halted at a late hour. The rain was
falling in torrents. Not a tent could be pitched, the
baggage not having arrived. For the same reason,
no food could be procured ; and only here and
there a few dry sticks could be gathered with which
to kindle a fire. Cold, wet, and hungry, the troops
became uneasy and peevish. Harrison marked the
rising storm, and, by a fortunate thought, he at once
allayed it, and even diflfused life and hilarity through
the camp. Wrapped in his cloak, he was sitting by
a dim fire, receiving the rain as it poured upon him,
when suddenly turning to one of his officers —
* Come,' said he, ' give us an Irish song.'
" The officer, taking the hint, struck up —
• Now 's the time for mirth and glee,
Sing, and laugh, and dance with me.'
"I do not know that the troops attempted to
dance, according to this invitation," said Captain
Miller, " for had they, it must have been in rain and
mire ; but good-humor filled every heart, and smiles
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
77
brightened up every face. In after months, when
similar troubles involved the troops, and any feel-
ings of despondency were settling upon their spir-
its, it was quite sufficient to dispel such clouds to
sing—
• Now 's the time for mirth and glee,
Sing, and laugh, and dance with me.' "
78
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
Siege of Fort Meigs.
CHAPTER VII.
Captain Miller tells about the siege of Fort Meigs, and iJie
battle of the Thames. — Death of Tecumseh — j^necdotes.
"I HAVE this evening," said Captain Miller, " to
tell you of another bold achievement of our favorite
general.
" On the south side of the Maumee, a river which
flows into the wesi end of Lake Erie, at a place
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE. 79
called the Rapids, General Harrison erected a rude
fort, which, in honor of Governor Meigs, of Ohio,
was called Camp Meigs, or Fort Meigs. It was,
however, strongly fortified.
"The erection of this fortification was by no
means agreeable to the British, and an early plan
was laid to capture and destroy it. On the 26th
of April, 1813, a large party of British and In-
dians combined, made their appearance on the op-
posite side of the river. An attack now being ex-
pected, every effort was made to strengthen the
place. Animated by the enthusiasm of their gen-
eral, the soldiers worked with a zeal and persever-
ance perhaps never surpassed.
" On the evening of the 28th, the Indians were
conveyed over the river in boats, and surrounded the
fort in every direction.
" On the 29th, the siege began in good earnest,
and all intercourse with other posts was cut off.
During the preceding night the British had thrown
up a mound, on which to plant their guns, and be-
hind which they could secure themselves from the
fire of the Americans.
" April 30th. Several of the Americans were this
day wounded, and General Harrison himself, being
80 THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
continually exposed, had several narrow escapes.
On the following day the enemy fired two hundred
and fifty-six times from their gun batteries. The
Americans fired less rapidly, but with greater effect.
A bullet struck the seat on which General Harrison
was sitting, and at the same time a volunteer was
wounded, as he stood .directly opposite to him.
"In this manner several days passed, during
which both parties were engaged in firing bombs
and balls, not unfrequently causing the destruction
of soldiers on both sides.
" It was now doubtful what would be the issue.
The pride of the British, as well as their interest,
demanded the destruction of this fort. They fought,
therefore, with unwonted courage and perseverance.
" In the mean while, General Harrison and his
soldiers displayed the utmost coolness and determi-
nation. They were resolved to surrender only when
they could fight no longer — when ammunition failed,
or food and water could no longer be obtained.
"At this critical juncture inteUigence was received
that General Clay, with twelve hundred men, was
hastening to their relief. He was already but a few
miles up the river, and rapidly approaching with liis
troops in boats. An officer was immediately de-
m.
v^
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. SI
spatched, directing him to land one half of his force
on the opposite side of the river, for the purpose of
forcing the enemy's batteries and spiking his can-
non.
'^ The gallant Colonel Dudley, who was despatched
for this purpose, executed the order ; but, unfortu-
nately, his troops, elated with success, pursued the
retreating enemy until, suddenly, a party of Indians
under command of the celebrated Tecumseh, who
were in ambush, rose upon them. The slaughter
was terrible. The killed on the battle ground were
horribly mutilated by the savage foe. The brave
Colonel Dudley w^as among the number, and more
than five hundred of his detachment were taken
prisoners.
" The other part of General Clay's troops were
more fortunate. They landed a short distance above
the fort, and might have easily reached it ; but, lured
by a party of Indians, whom they wished to destroy,
.they proceeded into the woods, and had not General
Harrison-despatched a company of cavalry to cover
their retreat, they also would have been cut off.
" While these movements were in progress, sev-
eral brilliant and successful charges were made
from the fort. The Americans seemed animated by
6
82 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
the success which must crown this enterprise, if
they could hold out a short time longer.
"At length the British gave up the contest. Al-
though they had made so great a number of prison-
ers, by the unfortunate management of Colonel
Dudley, yet this did not aid them, in relation to the
fort. Harrison would have maintained his post, had
no assistance been rendered.
" The 8th of May brought an end to the toils of
the Americans, in the fort of Camp Meigs. An ex-
change of prisoners took place, and on the morning
of the 9th, the enemy commenced their retreat.
Thus did Harrison sustain, in effect, a siege of twelve
days, during which the enemy had fired eighteen
hundred shells and cannon balls, besides keeping up
an almost continual discharge of small-arms. The
loss of each party was about equal.
"Few achievements during the war were more
remarkable than this. The British and Indians
were more than double — yes, probably, four times
as many as were in the mud fort of Harrison. Not
another British officer was more fierce and deter-
mined than Proctor, who commanded the siege.
And here, also, was Tecumseh, the bold and sa-
gacious Tecumseh, and several hundred Indians,
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 83
maddened and mortified by their defeat at Tippe-
canoe.
"It was surprising that Harrison's courage and
that of his soldiers should have so kept up, so risen
with every succeeding day's renewed and varied
attack.
" Most wonderful," continued Captain Miller, " is
it, and most ungrateful, that there should be found
an enemy who could accuse General Harrison of
cowardice. But such a charge has been made in
relation to his conduct at Fort Meigs. But it has
been met as successfully as he then met the British,
and such imputations and aspersions are on the re-
treat as rapidly as the enemy retreated on the
morning of the 9th of May, 1813.
" I will here read you a speech of an old soldier,
Mr. Pollock, who, hearing a young man in the Ohio
legislature accusing General Harrison of cowardice,
rose, and shaking his hoary locks, thus rebuked the
slanders of the youth : —
"'Mr. Speaker: I have listened to the debate,
thus far, with much patience. I have heard abuse
heaped upon General Harrison, by men who are
comparatively young ; and although I am unaccus-
tomed to speech making, I hope the house will bear
84 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
with me for a few moments, for I shall not trouble
it long. I shall not deal in generalities ; we have
had too many of them already. Sir, I have heard
members of this house charge General Harrison
with cowardice, whom he defended and protected
from the war knife and tomahawk of the Indian,
when they were sleeping in their mothers' arms.
^'Mr. Speaker, I know something of General
Harrison, and something of his history, and some-
thing of his deeds. I know individuals who were
with him in the battles of the Thames, Fort Meigs,
and Fort Stephenson. I know, sir, that cannon
balls, chainshot, and bombshells, flew thick around
him in these battles. The gentleman from Cler-
mont, (Mr. Buchanan,) said that General Harrison
was not, during tiie battle of Fort Meigs, near
enough to have the scales knocked off him. Well,
sir, if he was not near enough to have the scales
knocked off, he was near enough to have the scales
and dirt knocked on to him by cannon balls. [Who
saw it ? asked some member.] I saw it, sir ; I was
in that battle. I saw a cannon ball strike within
two feet of General Harrison during that fight. I
was there. I saw bombshells and chainshot flying
all around him. Horses were shot down under him.
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE. 85
I was also at the battle of Fort Stephenson. I saw
General Harrison there, and he was in the hottest
and hardest of the fight ; and where balls flew thick-
est, and where steel blushed the fiercest, there would
you find General Harrison. I speak what I know,
and what my eyes have seen. General Harrison is
not a coward ; and those who call him a coward
know nothing of him. He was a brave, prudent,
and fearless general. He took the right course
during the last war ; he acted a noble part, and his
country has honored him for it. Ask the soldiers
who fought by his side ; whose arms were nerved
by his presence ; whose hearts were cheered by his
valor ; and who were led to triumph and to victory
by his courage, and bravery, and skill, if General
Harrison was a coward ; and they, sir, will tell you
No!
"'Sir, I have done. I only wished to give my
testimony in favor of General Harrison, and to
state what I have seen, in opposition to those who
are ignorant of his character, and who know noth-
ing of his bravery and skill.'
" The decisive victory thus obtained at Fort
Meigs," continued Captain Miller, " sent a thrill of
joy through the land, almost equal to that which in
86 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
the revolution was awakened by the triumph of
Saratoga. It dispelled the gloom which pervaded
the nation. It turned the tide of war, and led di-
rectly to other splendid achievements, which, not
long after, decided the contest on the northeastern
frontier.
" Of these other achievements, I have time to no-
tice but one — and that briefly — the * Battle of the
Thames.'
" The Thames is a river in Upper Canada, flow-
ing into Lake St. Clair. On the 5th of October, a
severe battle was fought near this river, between the
Americans under General Harrison, and the British
and Indians — the former led by General Proctor,
and the latter by Tecumseh. The Americans were<
speedily and decisively victorious — making six hun-
dred prisoners, and putting the rest of the enemy to
flight. Here was the last struggle of the renowned
Tecumseh. Disdaining to fly, while all were flying
around him but his own nearest followers, he press-
ed eagerly into the heat of the contest, encouraging
the savages by his voice, and plying the tomahawk
with tremendous energy.
" But he fell — by whose hand it is not certainly
known. The honor — if it may be called an honor —
THE H£RO OP TIPPECANOE, 87
was claimed by Colonel Johnson. But it was no
ordinary man that there fell — savage that he was.
Like Philip, of Mount Hope, at an earlier date, he
was terrible in battle. His ruling maxim in war was
to take no prisoners. He neither gave any quarter,
nor accepted any. A writer remarks of him, ' that his
carriage was erect and lofty. His eloquence vi^as
nervous and concise. Habitually taciturn, his words
were few, but always to the purpose.*
" It is an interesting fact that ' the grave in which
Tecumseh's remains were deposited by the Indians
after the return of the American army, is still visible
neiir the borders of a willow marsh, on the north
line of the battle ground, with a large fallen oak
tree lying beside. The willow and wild rose are
thick around it, but the mound itself is cleared of
shrubbery, and is said to owe its good condition to
the occasional visits of his countrymen. Thus re-
pose, in solitude and silence, the ashes of i)\Q Indiajt
Bonaparte.' In truth have they
* Left him alone in liis glory.' -'
" Father," inquired Andrew, " what became of the
Prophet ?"
" I know not his particular history after the battle
SB THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
of Tippecanoe. Some author, I think, relates that he
died only a few years since. After the above bat-
tle, he had very little influence, and I believe very
little agency in the war. Both Tecumseh and the
Prophet received an annual pension from the British
government.
" Let us return a few moments to General Harri-
son.
" It was his practice — quite different from that of
some commanders — to favor himself in nothing —
but to share with Jiis common soldiers their toils and
deprivations. This greatly endeared him to them,
and to this day, wherever a soldier is found, how-
ever humble, who followed the fortunes of General
Harrison, he will be heard to extol him.
"A pleasant anecdote is related of him while in
pursuit of General Proctor up the Thames. A sin-
gle valise contained the whole of his baggage — •
while a blanket thrown over his saddle served him
for a bed ; or rather the ground was his bed, and the
blanket his only covering. Yet even this blanket he
gave away to Colonel Evans, a British officer, who
was wounded and a prisoner, because he needed it
more than himself! Such humanity — such self-de-
nia), is ralre.
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE. 89^
" The night following the battle of the Thames,
thirty-four British officers, prisoners of war, supped
with him. But the camp, especially after a battle,
afforded little variety. Indeed, it is said that the
general was able to give them only some fresh roast-
ed beef, without bread, and without salt. The sol-
diers had the same — their fare was always like that
of their general. WhatQj^^ luxuries he had, they
had; and whatever hard^ps,<difficulties, and dan-
gers they encountered, , he" shared them with his
troops. When the ijfe^ning arrived, and their
slumbers were broken\J^ by the rattUng drum, he
was out and mounted on his horse. When the
storm beat upon them, he breasted it himself. When
they were dispirited, his cheerfulness wore away
the gloom. When they were sick, or were wounded
in the service of their country, he saw that their
wants were supplied.
" Few commanders were ever more beloved, or
more readily obeyed than General Harrison ; and
the secret of this affection and control lay in his
uniform kindness. One instance of kindness must
serve as a specimen of hundreds of others which
might be related. A regiment was on the point of
leaving Vincennes for the northwestern frontier.
90 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
At the moment of their departure, advancing towards
them, he said — * If you ever come to Vincennes, you
will always find a plate and knife and fork at my
table ; and I can assure you that you will never find
the string to the latch of my door pulled in/ "
" Father," inquired Jose, " what is meant by a
string to a latch ? I never saw a latch with a string to
it."
" Formerly," replied Captain Miller, " the people
had wooden latches, because such latches as we have
were quite rare, or they were unable to purchase
them. A string tied to a wooden latch was passed
through a hole in the door. This string being pulled,
raised the latch ; when drawn in, no one on the out-
side could open the door. In the western country,
such latches are probably common in the ' log cabins,'
and perhaps at that time such a latch was on the
door of the log cabin in which General Harrison
lived.
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
91
:tel|iiliiliiiilIi'J
De Wood Leg Soiuiare, &c.
CHAPTER VIII.
Captain Miller spends an evening in telling anecdotes about
General Harrison.
" I HAD no intention, my children," Captain Mil-
ler remarked the succeeding evening, as he was ta-
king his seat — " I had no intention when I began
these notices of the * Hero of Tippecanoe,' of ex-
92 THE fiERO OP TIPPECANOE.
tending them to so great a length. But the subject
is fruitful, and the half has not yet been told.
" But I must not be tedious, and will therefore give
the remaining history of the general in few words.
"In 1814, he resigned his commission in the ar-
my. This resignation was in consequence of ar-
rangements made by the secretary of war, by which
General Harrison was still to retain his commission,
but not be employed in active service. To this he
could not consent. He loved the excitement of the
field. His patriotic spirit could then find grateful
exercise only in conducting the soldiers whom he had
trained into the field of action. As another, through
the prejudice of the secretary, was appointed to do
this. General Harrison retired from the army.
" Two years after, he was elected a member of
congress, subsequently a member of the state senate
of Ohio, and, in 1824, a senator of the United
States. In 1828, President Adams appointed him
minister to the republic of Colombia, in South
America. In these various situations he proved
himself most useful to his country, adding to his
reputation as a statesman honors beyond those which
he had acquired as a soldier.
"Returning at length to his country, he retired to
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE. 93
a farm at North Bend, on the banks of the Ohio, fif-
teen or twenty miles below Cincinnati. Here, con-
tented with the honors acquired by years of patri-
otic devotion to his country, he has hved, employing
himself in rural occupations, and at the same time
gathering from the soil his support, which others, if
not more selfish, yet more careful of their own inte-
rests, have secured from the emoluments of office."
" Do you mean, father," inquired William, " to say
that General Harrison is poor ?"
"I believe," replied Captain Miller, "that he is by
no means rich. It has been stated, that for his ser-
vices as commander of the expedition to Tippeca-
noe, he never asked and never received any compen-
sation. As commander of the northwestern army,
his expenses so far exceeded his pay, that subse-
quently he was obliged to sell a fine tract of land to
meet them,"
"Does General Harrison live in a log cabin ?" ask-
ed Thomas.
" So it is reported — a log cabin, which, within a
few years, has been covered and painted white.
The house is large, with a noble lawn, large trees,
and a fine view of the river. It is said to be plain,
but extremely neat."
94 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
"You have not told us how General Harrison
looks," observed Thomas.
" In person he is tall and slender. His eye is dark,
and remarkable for its expression. No one could
see him and not be convinced of his intelligence —
no one can read the history of his life, and not be
satisfied of the benevolence of his heart. In his
manners he is plain, easy, and unostentatious. In
disposition he is generous — in temper, mild and for-
bearing — strong in his attachments — forgiving to-
wards his enemies,"
Here, pausing and taking some papers from the
table, Captain Miller observed, that he had marked
several interesting anecdotes concerning the general,
a few of which it will give you pleasure, I presume,
to hear. Here is one entitled
** BOYS, DO YOU HEAR THAT V
" Twenty-six years ago last autumn," said the gen-
tleman who related the anecdote, " I was a boy at-
tending school in a log cabin, with no other windows
than the light afforded through the space of tw^o
logs, by the removal of a piece of the third, with
greasy bits of paper pasted on as substitutes for
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 96
glass. The cabin, dedicated to learning, was situa-
ted in the outskirts of a now populous town in Penn-
sylvania. No state in the Union furnished more or
better soldiers for the defsnce and protection of the
nOTthern frontier of Ohio, during the late war, than
did Pennsylvania. Not a few of her sons were in
the army surrendered by Hull ; besides, numbers of
her brave fellows were massacred and scalped at
Winchester and Dudley's defeat. Still, the after
call of General Harrison for more soldiers was an-
swered by large numbers of Pennsylvanians, inclu-
ding several from our village. The departure of
these brave fellows from their famiUes and friends,
was then viewed as a voluntary sacrifice of hfe for
the defence of their country ; and the ' farewell,
God bless ye !' was uttered in a tone and feeling that
sunk deep in the hearts of the bystanders, and which
will never be effaced from my memory.
" In those days, our mails were few and uncer-
tain ; and it was only by the occasionally passing of
a sick or disabled soldier returning home, that we
heard from our army. Time hung heavy, and deep
gloom overspread our country. The last news was,
* A battle is soon expected between the American
army under General Harrison, and the British and
P6 THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
Indians under the bloodthirsty Proctor and Tecurm
sehr
" Days and weeks passed by, and yet nothing was
heard from our army. The citizens eagerly hailed
all strangers from the West, with the anxious inqui-
ry of, ' Any news from General Harrison V Such
was the delay, doubt, and uncertainty, that it was
generally feared, and by many believed, that Harri-
son and his army had, like those before him, been
defeated and massacred.
" While I was sitting," said the gentleman, " at the
long loiv window of our schoolhouse, and our Irish
schoolmaster was busy in repeating our A B C to
the smaller urchins, I suddenly heard the sound of a
horn. I looked forth, and saw descending the hill,
half a mile distant, the mail boy on a horse at full
speed. At the foot of the hill, he crossed the bridge,
and the rapid clatter of the iron hoof resounded
throughout our cabin. Rising the hill near us, his
horse at full speed, and reeking with sweat, he again
sounded his shrill horn, and, when opposite our log
cabin, he cajled out :
"'HARRISON HAS WHIPPED THE BrITISH'AND
Indians !'
*' Our Irish tutor, with as true an American heart
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 97
as ever beat in a son of Erin, sprang from his seat
as though he had been shot — his eyes flashing with
fire, he screamed out :
' BOYS, DO YOU HEAR THAT V
" He caught his hat, darted out at the door, and
followed the mail-boy at the top of his speed. The
scholars were not a second behind him — the larger
one taking the lead, and shouting ' Huzza for Harri-
son /' and the smaller ones running after, halloing
and screaming with fright !
" The people of our village hearing the confusion,
and seeing the mail-boy and horse at full run, follow-
ed by the schoolmaster at the top of his speed, and
his whole school screaming — shouting and scream-
ing— knew not what to make of it. The mechan-
ic left his shop — the merchant his store — and the
women stretched their necks out at the windows,
while consternation and dismay were depicted oti
every countenance. The mail arriving at the office,
the carrier rose in his stirrups, and exclaimed, at tlie
same time whirling his hat in the air :
« ' Huzza for HARRISON ! He has whipped
THE British and Indians !'
' BOYS, do you hear That?'
"A universal shout of joy mvoluotarily buMt
7 B
I
98 THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
forth— bonfires were kindled in the streets — and our
village was illuminated at night."
HARRISON AND THE ASSASSIN.
" I have related the particulars of the battle of
Tippecanoe. One incident I have reserved for the
present time. The evening before the battle, a ne-
gro was seen to enter the American camp, and cau-
tiously steal towards the general's marquee. His
conduct was so suspicious that he was arrested, and
at the time of the action was a prisoner in the camp.
After the battle a court-martial was ordered, of
which Colonel Boyd was appointed president
" On the trial, it was proved that he had deserted
from the American camp, and that, instigated by the
Indians, he had returned with the intention of mur-
dering the governor while asleep. With this guilt
upon him, he was sentenced to suffer death within
an hour. But General Harrison, aft<»r he had ap-
proved the sentence, was reluctant to give the fatal
order.
" * If he had been out of my sight,' said General
Harrison, when afterwards relating the circumstance,
* he would have been executed ; but when he was
%
% T^E HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 99
fii^t taken, General Wells and Colonel Owen, who
were old Indian fighters, as we had no irons to put
on him, had secured him after the Indian fashion.
This is done by throwing a pers.on on his back, split-
ting a loff and cuttino^ notches in it to receive the
ankles ; then replacing the several parts, and com*
pressing them together with forks driven over the
log into the ground. The arms are extended and
tied to stakes secured in the same manner. The
situation of a person thus placed, is as uneasy as can
possibly be conceited. The poor wretch thus con-
fined, lay bef*^^ my fire, his face receiving the rain
that occf"»onally fell, and his eyes constantly turned
upoB me, as if imploring mercy, I could not with-
stand the appeal, and I determined to give him
another chance for his life. I had all the commis-
sioned officers assembled, and told them that his fate
depended on them. Some were for executing him,
and I believe a majority would have been against
him, but for the interference of the gallant Snelling.
* Brave comrades !' said he, ' let us save him. The
wretch deserves to die, but as our commander, whose
life was more particularly his object, is willing to
spare him, let us also forgive him. I hope, at least,
that every officer of, the fourth regiment will be on
too THE H£RO OF TIPPECANOE. |
the side of mercy.' Snelling prevailed, and Bei^
was discharged."
THE OLD SOLDIER.
♦ -
" I was dining with General Harrison in the spring
of 1S39 ," said a gentleman, " and while in the midst
of our repast, a loud knock was heard at the door.
My host rose from the table, excused himself, and
went to the door to se*? who it was that was so de-
sirous of admittance. After a parley of some mo-
ments with a person who spoke in a vough tone of
voibe, the general ushered into the room a. very old
man, whose worn-out and tattered garments be^^oke
great distress and poverty.
" * Mr. ,' said Gen. Harrison, * this is one of
my old soldiers, and I have invited him in to dine
with us. He was with me in the sortie of Fort
Meigs and at the Thames. I remember his bravery
well. These are the men whom we must honor.
Take that seat, George.'
" Cxeorge, for that was the old soldier's name,"
continued our friend, ** sat down and soon gave us
cause to know that a good dinner and he had been
strangers for many a long day. The old fellow's
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. ' ^101
feelings became enlivened by the good things he
had partaken of, and a glass or two of whiskey and
water, and for nearly two hours, did the general and
he fight their battles over again. Towards evening,
the general took me aside and asked me to join with
him in the charity he was about to bestow. I cheer-
fully consented. The general went to his bedroom,
and in a few moments returned with a new black
coat.
" ' George,' said the hero, ' this is the only coat I
have except the threadbare one on my back. Take it,
and while it protects you from the inclement winds
of our cold spring, remember, that had your old
general his way, every old soldier in the country
should not know what want was the rest of his
days.'
" I added my mite to George's empty purse, and
gave him ' silvei'' enough to carry him home into the
interior of Ohio — for he had been to New Orleans
on a flat-boat and w^as now on his return."
" * You will take this note,' said the General, * and
when you get to Cincinnati, call on Mr. M : give
him this, and he will further aid you. I am Hke
yourself, George, poor, and have to labor for my liv-
ing, after long toil and hard work in the service
102 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
of my country, but we poor soldiers enjoy at least
the proud consciousness of having done our duty/
" After some further conversation, George depart-
ed, thanking his old general from his heart. This
little circumstance turned the conversation between
the general and myself upon the hardships of the
last war, the faithfulness of his troops, and the true
policy that the government ought to pursue to its
surviving defenders. This anecdote, however, will
serve to show you the kind-hearted goodness of the
old general, and it proves that if he is elected presi-
dent, he will be the president of the people — acces-
sible to all."
An Irishman by the name of John Hanley emi-
grated a few years since to Cincinnati, Ohio, with
his young wife. He had married her contrary to
the wishes of her father, which was the cause of his
leaving his country.
On his arrival in Cincinnati, he opened a small
store, by means of which he was able to support
himself and wife. At length intelligence reached
him that his father in Ireland was dead, and had left
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE. 108
him a handsome share of his property. Upon this,
he immediately sold his effects, and with his wife
embarked for his native country. But on reaching
the place of his birth, what was his disappointment
to find that the whole sum left him was only five
pounds I
No sooner had he learned what unkindness had
been practised by his father, than, raising a smaD
sum, he again returned to Cincinnati. His wife be-
ing an accomplished woman, endeavored to aid her
husband by giving lessons in music.
The story of their disappointment reached the
ears of General Harrison. He felt, interested in
them, as he has ever been interested in the sorrows
and trials of the unfortunate. Just at that time,
there was a clerkship in his office vacant. It was
worth five hundred dollars a year. Many personal
friends of General Harrison solicited it of him in be-
half of their sons. But he refused them all, and
gave the place to Hanley, the poor young Irishman^
Hanley's gratitude cannot well be imagined. He
entered upon his duties, and while health lasted, he
was contented and happy. But he fell sick, and for the
last six months of his life he was unable to perform
the duties of his station. But mark the kindness of
104 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
Harrison. He contrived to have the duties per-
formed— and Hanley or his wife was paid to the
day of his death.
Such kindness is as beautiful as it is rare. A
heart in which such sympathy dwells, is not likely to
lose its generous tendencies, whatever honors or
offices are bestowed upon its possessor. How de-
sirable to have such a man at the head of the nation,
rather than one who has little more sensibility to
the woes of others than marble — and can no more
sympathize with the sons and daughters of misfor-
tune than an iceberg !
" DE WOOD LEG SOLDIARE."
"Are you personally acquainted with General
Harrison ?" asked an American of a French travel-
ler.
" Begare, sare," replied the Frenchman, " I have
de grand satisfactiong to have the plaisare, sare, to
have de grand introductiong, sare, to the bfave hero
and citizen. I make you introductiong, sare, to this
gentilhomme, who will tell de grand story of de
old shenerall, and de wood leg soldiare. It is ver
good."
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 105
This appeal was made to a respectable-looking
gentleman — a clergyman — who remarked that it
would give him pleasure to tell the story.
He related as follows :
It was in the year 1820, if my memory is correct,
that I was travelhng in Ohio with a view of pur-
chasing a tract of land for my son, when I fell in
with a gentleman who was a stranger, and whom I
found a very intelligent and agreeable companion.
A thunder storm drove us into a neat log cabin, a
little distance from the road-side, for shelter, where
we found a house full of children, a sick and very
interesting-looking woman lying on an humble but
clean-looking bed, and a young, pretty maiden sit-
ting near. The husband and father, with a wooden
leg, ^nd a deep scar across his brow, was bending
over the bed and pressing the hand of the sick wo-
man between both of his. His eyes were intently
fixed on a young infant, apparently a few months
old. The whole group had been indulging in tears,
and I saw one stealing from the dazzling eyes of the
young damsel, as she sat hstening apparently to some
tale of wo which her father told. Their tears were
suddenly wiped away as we approached, and were
given a cordial welcome.
106 THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE.
" You seem to be in distress " said the stranger, my
companion.
" I have faced the enemies of my country." said the
host, as he swung his wooden leg round to close the
door, " and I have felt all the pangs and privations of
a military life, but all this was nothing compared
with what I have suffered to-day."
Stranger, Pardon me if I ask the cause ; fori will
relieve you if it lies in my power.
Host. My wife is afflicted with an internal dis-
ease, which renders it dangerous to move her ; yetj^
for a debt which I cannot immediately raise, the man
who is agent for another, declares that if I do not pay
it before to-morrow at twelve o'clock, he will seize
what little I possess, and turn us all out to the mercy
of the elements. I can neither raise the sum by that
time, nor obtain a shelter for my poor wife and
children, who must perish to gratify the malice of a
man* whose heart is a stranger to mercy.
The whole family melted into tears as he conclu-
ded, and even the soldier himself, who had faced
the cannon's mouth, could not refrain from weep-
ing.
Stranger. You have fought the battles of the coun-
try ? May I be inquisitive in asking — -
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 107
Host. Oh ! yes, I fought under the brave Harrison
at the Thames, and in other battles. I speak of him
with pride, for I have seen his sword ghttering in
the thickest of the fight.
Stranger. Would you know him were you to see
him ?
Host, (gazing in his face.) You resemble him
very much. Were he to know my sufferings, he
would instantly assist me. I have seen him do sev-
eral generous deeds.
Stranger. Where did you lose your leg 1
Host. It was shattered by a ball at the glorious
battle of Tippecanoe.
Stranger. Well, my brave fellow, make your mind
easy ; a hair of your head shall not be injured. You
now see your general before you, and as you have
fought for me and your country, I will now protect
you and your family at the risk of my life.
A sudden blaze of joy seemed to run from heart
to heart ; the soldier clasped General Harrison in
his arms, while the children pressed his hand with
affection.
" We shall be saved from ruin," cried the pale wife.
The general found the owner of the piece of land
on which the soldier Uved, and never rested until he
108 THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
made the poor fellow a right to it. He also dis-
charged the debt, and a happier family I never beheld.
HARRISON AND THE METHODIST MINISTER.
General Harrison was sitting one summer evening
at the door of his " log cabin." It had been an in-
tensely warm day, and here he was sitting with the
hope of getting cool after the labors of the day, when
a man approached and solicited a shelter for the
night.
The jaded appearance of the steed, and the soiled
garments of the rider, proclaimed the fatigue of the
day, and with his usual courtesy, the old general
welcomed the stranger. After a plain and substan-
tial supper, the guest joined with his host in social
conversation ; and the latter, laying aside the cha-
racter of the soldier and statesman, willingly listened
to the pious instruction of the traveller, whom he
discovered to be a minister of the gospel.
They retired to rest, the good old soldier thankful
to a munificent Providence that he was enabled to
administer to the wants of a fellow-creature, and
the worthy minister of Christ, invoking the blessing
of heaven upon the head of his kind benefactor.
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 109
Morning came, and the minister prepared to de-
part. He was in the act of taking leave, when he
was informed that his horse had died during the
night. The loss, however severe, considering that
he had yet two hundred miles to travel, did not dis-
courage him in the exercise of his duty ; but taking
his saddle-bags on his arm, he rose to depart, with
thanks for the kindness of his entertainer. The old
general did not attempt to detain him, though he of-
fered his condolence upon the loss ; but an observ-
ing eye couM have detected a smile of inward satis-
faction, which the consciousness of doing good alone
produces. The guest reached the door, and to his
astonishment, found one of the general's horses, ac-
coutred with his own saddle and bridle, in waiting
for him. He returned and remonstrated, stating
his inability to pay for it, and that in all probability
he should never again visit that section of the coun-
try. But the general was inexorable, and reminded
the astonished divine that " he who giveth to the
poor lendeth to the Lord" — sent him on his way,
his heart overflowing with gratitude, and his pray-
ers directed to heaven for blessings on the venera-
ble hero.
110
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
Harrison elected by Captain Miller's family^
^ CHAPTER IX.
The " Hspo of Tippecanoe'''' elected president by Captain
Miller and Ms family.
At the conclusion of the anecdotes the evening"
before, as it was late, the children retired v/ithout
learning whether their father intended to gratify
them with any further account of the " old hero."
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. Ill
At breakfast, therefore, the inquiry was made
with some solicitude.
" You have been pleased, then, my children, with
the manner in which we have spent some evenings
past?"
•' Very agreeably," said one. " Highly," said an-
other. " I hope )^ou have not finished," said Thomas.
^' Let us hear what Jose wishes," said Captain
Miller.
" I'm sure I love to hear stories," said Jose ; " but
you haven't told us certainly whether General Harri-
son is to be the next president."
" That is more than I know," said Captain Miller,
"but I think he will, and every day confirms me in
the opinion. But I design to spend one evening
more in talking on this subject, and then we will wait
patiently till the question is settled."
The family here separated for the day. The sons
were soon at school — Mrs. Miller engaged in her
usual domestic avocations — and the captain abroad
on business in a neighboring town.
I will not say that the day was a long one to the
children, but they appeared quite pleased, when, tea
being finished, and the table occupying its usual place,
they gathered once more to listen to their father.
112 THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
" The remarks which I am about to make to you
this evening, my children," Captain Miller began,
" are rather of a grave character ; but as they are
connected with the ' old hero,' and the welfare of
the country, you will find them, I hope, interest-
ing.
" We are now on the eve of a new presidential
election. In a few months the states will vote for
electors of president and vice-president. Each state
chooses as many electors as it sends representatives
to congress. The electors meet in the several states,
and give their votes. These votes are sealed up,
and sent to Washington, where, in the month of
February, they are opened in the presence of con-
gress, and the candidate who has the majority of all
the votes is declared to be president of the United
States for four years.
" The candidate who shall be elected next autumn,
will take his oath of office on the 4th day of March,
1841.
" The office of president of the United States is a
high and honorable office. The salary attached to
it is greater than that of any other office in the gov-
ernment ; and the influence of the president is great-
er, perhaps, than that of any other man. The na-
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 113
lion provides a large and splendid house for him,
and furnishes it with elegant and costly furniture.
" The people take a deep interest in the ques-
tion, ' Who will be president V Such an interest
they ought to feel. The Bible says, 'When the
righteous are in authority, the people rejoice ; but
when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.^
" Rulers have great influence. The president of
the United States, from his station and power, can
accomplish good or evil for the nation. If he be a
wise, a prudent, and a good man — one who loves the
happiness and welfare of the people more than his
private interest — the nation will be happy and pros-
perous. Business will thrive. Industry will be en-
couraged. Men will find employment ; they will be
able to support their families. Children will have
good clothes and good food. There will be schools,
and the means of paying teachers.
" On the other hand, if a selfish and ambitious
man is made president, he will regard his own inte-
rests more than those of the people. His ends must
be served. His ambitious views must be carried
out. No matter whether the country is prosperous —
no matter whether business thrives — whether the
laborer gets good wages, or children are well fed or
8
114 THE HERO or TIPPECANOE.
well educated. These are considerations of small
moment with a selfish and wicked president. His
object is attained, if he can retain his office — get his
twenty-five thousand dollars a year — be praised and
flattered — ^I'ide in his splendid coach with fine horses,
and eat his good dinners on gold or silver plate.
When such a man rules, the people do mourn.
" No wonder, then, that the people of the United
States feel a deep interest in the question, ' Who is to
be president V Every man, woman, and child has
such an interest, as the manner in which he adminis-
ters the government may affect generations unborn.
While, then, no one should use unlawful means to
prevent the election of any candidate, every one is
justified, and even bound by duty, to exert his influ-
ence in all lawful and honorable ways to secure the
election of the man who will look well to the good
of the country, and who will take care of the poor
as well as the rich, and of children as well as of per-
sons who have attained to manhood. This is my
creed, and the true creed, I believe, of the real
patriot.
" Since the year 1 789, we have had eight different
presidents — George Washington, John Adams, Tho-
mas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 115
Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and Martin Van
Buren, who is president at this time. Until within
a few years, we have been a prosperous and happy
people — no nation more so; but in 1829, or soon
after, a great change came over the country. In
that year, Andrew Jackson entered upon the presi-
dency. He promised to administer the government
so that the prosperity of the people should continue ;
but whether he was unable, or self-willed, or from
some other cause, the prosperity of the country be-
gan to decline. He entered upon new experiments,
which failed, and left the money matters of the coun-
try in great derangement and confusion.
" Mr. Van Buren has managed as badly, and even
worse than President Jackson. He said that he
would follow his measures, and he has done so.
General Jackson turned the ship of state out of her
course, and Mr. Van Buren has kept on. He has
been admonished of danger — been told by several
good old pilots, that he would run the ship aground,
or drive her on breakers, where she would be ship-
wrecked. But he has seemed to fear no evil, and to
listen to no counsel
" Thus the country suffers. Business is nearly sus-
pended— confidence is destroyed. Thousands, who
116 THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
were rich, have become poor, and the poor are beg-
ging. If affairs long continue as they now arCj I
hope, my children, that I shall be able to procure
you bread, but the comforts which you have enjoyed
must be diminished. I cannot pay for books — I
cannot educate you.
" It is so now, or will soon be so, with thousands
in all the land.
"What shall be done? One expedient remains :
we must alter the course of the ship. If Mr. Van
Buren is re-elected, he tells us he will not alter it,
but will still follow in the ' steps of his illustrious
predecessor.^
*' If we would change, then, our course, we must
change our captain, or commander. General Harri-
son, the ' Hero of Tippecanoe' — the plain, honest,
but intelligent, straight-forward, good old-fashioned
farmer of Ohio, is recommended as the man. He is a
man — an honest man, 'the noblest work of God' — -
and he is the man who comes recommended from all
quarters of the land. The spirit of reform is abroad
in the nation. \ The people are coming.' If I live,"
said Captain Miller, " till the time of voting, / will
vote for General William Henry Harrison."
" I wish I could vote, father," said William.
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 11*7
** I wish so too," said Captain Miller. " Were it
right, I would wish to see all my boys at the baHot-
box."
"Some doubt, I suppose," said William, "how
Andrew would vote."
" I would vote with a good conscience," said An-
drew, " or not vote at all."
" It has just occurred to me," said Captain Miller,
" that there can be no . harm in taking the question
here to-night, * Who shall be president V "
" Will our vote decide who will be president?" ask-
ed Jose.
" It will decide whom we wish should he,"
" I like the plan well," said William. " As Wil-
liam Henry Harrison is a prominent candidate, and
that is my name, who can tell but that I may be run
in president this very evening."
" Well," said Captain Miher, " you may prepare
your votes."
" I don't know how," said Jose ; " I cannot
write."
" Well, Jose," said Captain Miller, " there are thou-
sands who vote for president, who can neither read,
write, nor spell — nor scarcely think. You must get
some one to write for you."
118 . THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE.
" Well, I'll get mother to write me a vote. Mo-
ther, will you ?"
" It is not often," said Mrs. Miller, " that ladies
write votes ; but I will oblige you. Come and whis-
per the name you wish me to write."
Jose whispered, and Mrs. Miller laughed out-
right.
" Why, ladies don't vote, my son," said his mother.
" What is that ?" inquired Captain Miller. " Sure-
ly, we must all be pleased to know what pleases mo-
ther so much."
"Why, Jose wishes me," said Mrs. Miller, "to
write the same name for him that I do for myself."
" Good, my son," said Captain Miller; "that is a
capital thought. We must have your mother's vote
also."
" Well," said Andrew, "I am agreed. I presume
mother will vote for Mr, Van Buren, as he is quite a
lady's manr
" Andrew," said Mrs. Miller, " your mother would
wish that a president of the United States should be
a gentleman; but something more is requisite to
govern a people well, than to know how to how and
simper in a drawing-roomr
" Ah !" said Andrew, " I see how all the world are
THE HERO OP TIPPECANOE. 119
goir^. If the ladies are opposed to Mr. Van Buren,
there is Httle chance for the re-election of my suc-
cessor."
" Come, prepare your votes," said Captain Miller.
" I am quite impatient to have the question settled."
" Mother," said Jose, " won't you vote ?"
" I have prepared two votes," said Mrs. Miller.
" Perhaps, however, you would prefer that your fa-
ther should write one for you."
^' I guess father and mother will vote for the same
candidate," said Jose ; " for I have heard you say,
that husband and wife must pull at the same end of
the rope."
" Quite smart, Jose, and quite true," said Captain
Miller. " Are we all ready ? Come, Jose, you hand
round the ballot-box"
" We haven't any ballot-box," said Jose.
- " Well, take that little basket. Don't put in tujo
votes — one vote each."
" Here, Jose, hand it to your mother first," said
Captain Miller.
" To your father next," said Mrs. Miller.
"There, now bring the basket to me. Have all
voted?"
" No," said Jose, " I haven't put my vote in."
120 THE H£RO OP TIPPECANOE.
"Well, hand in your vote, as they say at the
electors' meeting. All in ? all voted ? the box — I
mean the basket — is ready to be closed. One minute
more — only one. The box is closed"
" Now let us count. The first vote is for William
Henry Harrison ; the second, William Henry Harri-
son ; the third, the same ; the fourth, the same ; the
fifth, same ; the sixth — "
Captain Miller paused. " The sixth — "
" Ah !" said William, " that's Andrew^ s vote — for
whom is it ?"
" You are not certain that it is Andrew's — it may
be your mother's."
"Well, for whom is it, father? Pray, let us
know."
" The sixth is for — for — for — William Henry Har-
rison /"
*' Good ! good !" exclaimed Thomas.
"Yes, good it is — good enough," said Captain
Miller. " I hope the autumnal election will tell as
well as ours has to-night."
"I wish the ladies might all vote," said Jose,
*^ mother has voted so well."
" I suspect, my son," said Mrs. Miller, " if the la-
dies had a voice in the matter, they would vote for
THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE. 121
some one who would so manage that their husbands
and children should have food and clothing"
" Good times after this, mother !" said William.
" Under my administration I hope you will have food
and clothes both, and in abundance. Brother An-
drew, I thank you for your vote."
"Why," said Andrew, "you know I could not
well vote for myself, Billy ; and as to my successor
in office, he hasn't managed as well as I expected,
and I myself begin to think he may, with advantage
to the country, return to Kinderhook"
" I hope he may," said Captain Miller, " most sin-
cerely I do — and that his successor may be
' The iron-hearted soldier, the true-hearted soldier,
The gallant old soldier of Tippecanoe 1' "
THE END.
JAMES P. GIFFING,
(SUCCESSOR TO S. COLMAN,)
PUBLISHER AND WHOLESALE BOOKSELLER,
56 GOLD-STREET, NEW-YORK.
BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG.
A Mother's Library for Little Folks.
Each volume complete in itself.
VOL. I.— WILLEY'S RAMBLES to see the house building.
VOL. II.— THE BIRTH-DAY GIFT, comprising interesting
and useful stories.
VOL. Ill —LITTLE SONGS, by Mrs. Follen.
VOL. IV.— PLAY-HOUSE AND WORK-SHOP.
VOL. v.— MORAL STORIES IN RHYME.
" These are the titles of five charming quartos. They are most
beautifully printed, and embellished with engravings. Care is taken
that the contents shall not only be interesting, but they are moral,
impressive and worthy. Mr. Colman is honoring this department by
his excellent books." — Saturday Courier.
Little Girl's Own Book. BY MRS. CHILD.
" I have no sweetmeats, cake or toys,
As fit for little Girls and Boys ;
But look in me and you shall find
Both food and playthings for the mind."
Rose and her Lamb.
Admirably adapted for improving the Affections of the Young.
BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG.
From the Boy''s Country Book.
The Boy's Country Book,
EDITED BY WILLIAM HOWITT,
And illustrated with twenty-four of the most beautiful designs exe-
cuted on wood in the first style of art, by Chandler, Wright and
Mallory.
The Boy's Country Book, being the real life of a country boy,
written by himself, exhibits all the amusements, pleasures and pur-
suits of children in the country. The above book is among the most
excellent and capital books of the kind ever printed. It is full of
delightful anecdotes, tales, experiments and plays, admirably adapted
to the young. Bound in neat style.
My Little Friends.
A collection of useful stories, original and select, in prose and verse,
by Mrs. Caroline Oilman, authoress of the 'Humming Bird,*
* Ladies' Register,' &c.
BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG.
POPULAR WORKS OF PETER PARLEY,
VOYAGER, TRAVELLER AND HISTORIAN.
" These volumes are universally admitted into every family, and
truth and knowledge are presented in a guise as attractive as that in
which fiction has usually been arrayed." — London paper.
Parley's Christmas Tales.
A very amusing and valuable work. It tells how they keep Christ-
mas Festival in Old England ; and how they kept it before you and I
were born, with the masks, mummeries, feasts, frolics, tales, &c.
Then there are " lots" of stories.
For the use of families, in 2 vols, square 16mo, pages 750.
Parley's Universal History.
Illustrated by two hundred cuts, engravings and maps, and execu-
ted in a very beautiful style. A correspondent says:
" Parley's Universal History is an admirable compendium of his-
tory from the earliest recorded times to the present. It is written in
a beautiful and pure style, and is a very interesting book for all read-
ers. It is full of captivating stories and legends, that cannot fail to
rivet the attention and excite further curiosity. But the most impor-
tant feature of it is, that it is based on Geography, which is taught in
connection with history, and thus applied to its legitimate end. In
addition to this, chronological tables are given, and also questions for
the convenience of parents. It is, besides, plentifully interspersed
with finished engravings and maps ; all which cannot but succeed in
alluring the young mind to knowledge. It is fortunate for our coun-
try, and promises well for its future happiness, that such attention is
given to the wants of the people, and that such beautiful mediums of
instruction are provided."
From such examination as we have been able to give the work, as
well as from our knowledge of our correspondent, and of the pub-
lishers, and of Peter Parley, we think this commendation just. We
perceive it has been examined and recommended by more than forty
of the teachers in this city. — N. Y. Observer.
BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG.
" I consider it one of the best works of its talented and indefati-
gable author. Its style is clear, and its plan shows the labour of
thought. It is based, as all such works should be, upon geography,
and judiciously cemented with chronology . It is surprising that any
analysis of so complex a science as History, should disregard what
have been so aptly called its ' two eyes,' — Geography and Chronolo-
gy."— L. H. ^igourney. ^
Parley's Rambles,
In England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
"With Tales, Sketches, and Adventures ; embellished with nearly 40
spirited engravings from wood.
Parley's Gift for the Young.
In which Mr. Parley brings forth from his original treasures, in-
teresting Tales and instructive Fables ; embellished with 20 spirited
wood engravings.
Parley's Picture Book.
A new edition, enlarged and improved ; embellished with 40 very
pretty pictures.
Emily and Charles;
Or the True Art of Letter Writing. In a series of original letters.
Rhymes for my Children.
BY A MOTHER.
Illustrated by 20 engravings from wood.
This little volume is a collection of moral stories in rhyme, and
■*' will bear the test of criticism."
Anecdotes of Washington.
Exhibiting his patriotism and courage, benevolence and piety, with
other excellent traits of character. It has been prepared with great
care from the most authentic sources, and the publisher has much
satisfaction in knowing that the work has been highly approved.
Scenes of Wealth.
A new Edition in press.
BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG.
From the Child's Gem.
The Child's Gem. BY A LADY.
No. 1. — Embellished with six superior enorravings from Steel. "A
Diamond Treasure."
No. 2. — Embellished with 12 fine Wood Engravings.
(Iir Each No. is complete in itself, but bound in same style, to match.
■" The ' Gem' is designed as an offering to ' the little children of
America,' appropriate to the New Year, Christmas, or to a Birthday.
It is a fine specimen of taste and skill ; adapted in form, size, embel-
lishment, and style of writing, to suit the fancy of the young. Pa-
rents and friends, who may desire the sweet and oft-repeated Jiiss of
the child's ruby lip, will be very likely to secure it on the occasion
cf presenting a ' Gem' like this, to their youthful favorites. The
whole contents of the confectioners' shop are valueless, and worse
than valueless, in comparison with such a present."
No. 3. — Extra size, with Original Designs.
• Plants and Birds. EDITJ:D BY A LADY.
Illustrated with colored engravings, designed particularly to be in-
structive, at the same time entertaining.
" To encourage in children a taste for searching and examining in-
to the beautiful and wonderful works of the creation, is providing
them with a source of innocent amusement, and delightful gratifici;-
tion tlirough every period of their Utos.^'-^ Extract /ram the i^reffice.
VALUABLE WORKS
PUBLISHED BY
JAMESP. GIFFING, ♦
(SUCCESSOR TO S. COLMAN,)
56 GOLD-STREET,
NEW-YORK.
PRACTICE OF COURTS MARTIAL, a new work by Geo.
Macomb, of IT. S. Army.
YON MULLER'S UNIVERSAL HISTORY, 4 vols.
PHRENOLOGY VINDICATED, by S. CaldweU, M. D".
PRACTICAL PHRENOLOGY, by Silas Jones.
LECTURES ON PHRENOLOGY, by George Combe, Esq.
FIRESIDE EDUCATION, by S. G. Goodrich.
POEMS, by Rufus Dawes.
POETS OF AMERICA, a very splendid edition, illustrated by
"One of her Painters."
HYPERION, a Romance, by Prof. LongfeUow.
NIX'S MATE, an Historical Romance, by R. Dawes.
VALUABLE WORKS.
A L'ABRI, or The Tent Pitched, by N. P. WiUis.
ROMANCE OF TRAVEL, by N. P. Willis.
TORTESA THE USURER, by N. P. Willis. ) These vols, com-
BIANCA VISCONTF, by N. P. Willis. ^PPf the 3 firstof
ATHENIA OF DAMASCUS, by R. Dawes. ) mati^Librarf '^'
g LETTERS OF ELIZA WILKINSON, by Mrs. Gilman.
UNDINE THE WATER SPIRIT.
PHANTASMION, a Tale, by Sara Coleridge.
WHITE SULPHUR PAPERS.
FAUQUIER SPRINGS, by a Visiter.
JOHN SMITH'S LETTERS, with Picters to match.
BRIDE OF FORT EDWARD, by a Lady.
JUBILEE OF THE CONSTITUTION, by J. Q. xidams.
SUNDAY MORNING REFLECTIONS.
GOLDEN WEDDING RING, by a Minister of the Episcopal
Church.
EMBLEMATICAL TABLE BOOK, with illustrations new and
excellent.
MILITARY PROFESSION IN THE U. STATES, by B. F.
Butler.
THE HARRISON ALMANAC, with numerous original illus-
trations by first artists.
LOG CABIN ANECDOTES, a large sheet printed in Red and
Black
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